Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, will visit Damascus on Thursday, becoming the first Arab leader to do so since Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow. The meeting with transitional leader Ahmed al-Sharaa highlights strengthened ties and humanitarian efforts following al-Assad’s fall. Qatar has reopened its embassy and continues to support Syria’s humanitarian needs.
On Thursday, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, is set to make a historic visit to Damascus, marking him as the first Arab leader to visit Syria following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December. The Syrian presidency has announced that the Emir will meet with the transitional leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on this significant occasion.
Since the fall of al-Assad, diplomatic relations between Syria and Qatar have been notably strengthened. The Qatari Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, previously met with al-Sharaa in January. In addition, Qatar reopened its embassy in Damascus after a lengthy closure that began in July 2011, underscoring its renewed commitment to engaging with Syria.
Qatar’s approach has been particularly focused on humanitarian efforts within Syria, continuing to provide urgent aid to Damascus following al-Assad’s removal. Earlier this month, Doha hosted Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, further exemplifying the increasing diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The country’s humanitarian mission coincided with the emergence of the Syrian opposition factions, spearheaded by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who seized control of Damascus on December 8. This takeover concluded a significant 61-year rule by the Baath party and a 53-year reign by the al-Assad family.
The visit of the Qatari Emir signifies a noteworthy shift in Arab relations with Syria post-Bashar al-Assad. Following al-Assad’s ousting in December, there has been a marked increase in diplomatic engagements, particularly from Gulf states focused on humanitarian aid. The reopening of embassies and hosting of Syrian officials indicates a landscape change in the region.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Syria is a pivotal event that indicates strengthening ties between Qatar and Syria after a period of political discord. Qatar’s humanitarian initiatives further illustrate its commitment to supporting the Syrian populace in the wake of regime changes and ongoing challenges resulting from the prolonged conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
