Next week, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will make his first official trips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey since he took office in January. The goal of these visits is to strengthen regional connections as Syria’s new government is seeking international support and legitimacy following the deposing of former Syrian leader Bashar al Assad in late 2024. Sharaa’s diplomatic initiatives, which have already included trips to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, are part of an effort to secure economic and political support from Gulf states and neighboring countries.
The Syrian government has urgently requested the removal of sanctions imposed by the US, EU, and UK during to Assad’s 14 year rule, which has devastated trade and reconstruction. “We need relief from these sanctions to revive our economy,” a Syrian official said this week. The nation is currently struggling with a broken infrastructure and a humanitarian crisis, with over 100,000 people missing and rampant poverty after years of war.
UK Ambassador Simon Manley raised the need for accountability regarding the new government's atrocities, especially the recent massacres of Alawite and Shia civilians within Syria.