Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, recently visited Saudi Arabia, marking his first foreign trip since being appointed to lead the Syrian transitional government. The interim government is actively pursuing foreign relations to establish a more stable political foundation for the country, although the journey towards peace and reconciliation remains challenging.
Following a prolonged period of turmoil due to civil war, Syria is entering a phase of political transition while simultaneously rebuilding the nation, restoring infrastructure, and improving the lives of its citizens.
Just days after his appointment, al-Sharaa embarked on his inaugural trip to Saudi Arabia. According to the Egyptian daily newspaper Al-Ahram, discussions during this visit focused on the internal situation in Syria, particularly establishing a unified national army by integrating armed factions. The two sides also considered Saudi Arabia's proposal to host an international conference aimed at Syria's reconstruction.
The transitional government continuously welcomes high-level diplomatic delegations to garner support from Arab and Western nations to lift sanctions, which is crucial for reviving the war-torn economy.
Experts suggest that the success of building a stable and prosperous Syrian state depends on various factors, including internal stability, regional relations, and the role of international agencies. Establishing a recognised stable government is essential for attracting foreign investment and assistance.
Achieving a sustainable political foundation in Syria hinges on whether local factions are willing to negotiate towards harmonising their interests. The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, emphasised that the transitional government must promote an "inclusive and orderly" political process to avoid derailing the complex transition and prevent new waves of conflict.
The control of different regions by opposition groups highlights the deep divisions within Syria. Without equitable distribution of benefits among various parties, social groups, and ethnic communities, conflicts over influence are likely to arise.
Recent clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian National Army (SNA) in northern Syria exemplify the ongoing political and security instability.
The new government faces significant challenges in reviving an economy severely impacted by over a decade of conflict. Statistics indicate that Syria's GDP has plummeted by more than 85% since the outbreak of hostilities in 2011.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 15 million Syrians face food shortages. With urgent needs to restore agricultural infrastructure, wheat and barley production are at risk of sharp declines.
Save the Children reports that about 50% of school-age children in Syria have missed out on education due to ongoing violence.
Despite these difficulties, the interim Syrian government has achieved some initial milestones in reconstruction. Damascus International Airport has officially resumed international flights after over 13 years of suspension.
Additionally, two electricity-generating ships from Turkey and Qatar have arrived in Syria, providing an extra 800 megawatts—equivalent to 50% of current electricity production.
The road to rebuilding Syria from the ruins of conflict is long and fraught with challenges, requiring close cooperation between domestic efforts and international support. The core issue remains that true recovery can only begin once political forces within Syria reach and adhere to a sustainable peace agreement and reconciliation framework.
NDO
