Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Holds High-Level Talks with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara in Riyadh

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara held a formal meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday during an official visit, according to state media outlets from both nations.

The Saudi Press Agency released official media coverage of Prince Mohammed welcoming Mr Al Shara, though specific details of the discussions were not disclosed. Syria's Sana news agency reported that Mr Al Shara traveled with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani and was initially greeted upon arrival by the Governor of the Riyadh region, Prince Faisal bin Bandar.

The diplomatic engagement takes place amid rising tensions and escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis. The kingdom recently reported drone and missile attacks on airports in Jizan and Najran, which resulted in three injuries and minor damage. These incidents coincide with a major offensive by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces aimed at reclaiming territory following recent rebel gains, backed by an increase in Saudi airstrikes. In retaliation, the Houthis have targeted various sites across Saudi Arabia, including military installations, oil facilities, and airports.

According to Sana, Mr Al Shara and Prince Mohammed addressed several topics, including pressing regional developments and mutual concerns intended to bolster security and stability throughout the area.

This visit follows an earlier trip by the Syrian President to Saudi Arabia in April, where he met Prince Mohammed in Jeddah to discuss bilateral relations and regional updates. During that prior meeting, the leaders also explored economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and regional connectivity initiatives. Notably, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key investor in Syria following Mr Al Shara's rise to power in 2024, after he spearheaded a rebel offensive that successfully removed the regime of former president Bashar Al Assad.