The Arab Gulf States, foremost among them Saudi Arabia, attach great importance to strengthening the unity, stability, and sovereignty of Syria, and supporting the people in achieving their aspirations for prosperity and development. This is a firm and strong approach of the Gulf system, which has never been late in supporting the Syrian people, whether during the earthquake events or after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

This unified and firm Gulf approach was emphasized by the foreign ministers of the six countries at the (46) extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Cooperation Council, stressing the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and rejecting foreign interference in its affairs.

But the actual translation of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s decision was on the ground through a surprise visit by the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Badawi, accompanied by the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait, Abdullah Al-Yahya, to Damascus, where they met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Administration, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and were briefed on the situation closely, and emphasized the support of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the unity and stability of Syria, in order to bring security, prosperity and development to its people.

This visit received attention not only from Syria, but also regionally and internationally, given the profound implications of this visit for the Gulf’s firm stance alongside the Syrian people, and the keenness to bring the entire region out of conflicts and wars, and to move towards peace, stability and dialogue, and to achieve the higher interests of this ancient country and all its social and political components, and the necessity of involving everyone in building the country.

Al-Badawi did not hide the position of the Gulf states alongside their brothers in Syria when he stressed the need to continue the comprehensive transition process, support national reconciliation, rebuild the Syrian state, and ensure the safety of civilians. He also did not hide his admiration for the decision to dissolve the militias and armed factions, and to confine weapons to the hands of the state, considering them essential pillars for maintaining security and stability in Syria and restoring its regional role and international Arab standing, and ensuring that no foreign powers interfere in its affairs.

The Gulf states, in their meetings and visits, emphasized that their decision stresses the need to lift economic sanctions on Syria and provide humanitarian and economic support to the Syrian people, to contribute to alleviating suffering and strengthening efforts aimed at rebuilding the country.

The first visit of the new Syrian administration’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, and General Intelligence Chief Anas Khattab to Riyadh this week confirms the Syrian satisfaction with the Saudi and Gulf interest in their country, and shows that Damascus, which has returned to the Arab fold after the fall of the Assad regime, believes that its plan for the transition process needs the support of its brothers in the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, which has the capabilities and strong diplomacy locally and internationally, and can play a role in international circles to support the new Syria, in addition to humanitarian and economic support represented by investments and capital.

humanitarian support

Although the visit of the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, accompanied by the Foreign Minister of the State of Kuwait, Abdullah Al-Yahya, to Damascus was a practical translation of the decision of the Gulf Cooperation Council at its ministerial meeting in Kuwait, the visit is only one item of the generous Gulf and Saudi support for their brothers in Syria to overcome the challenges and stand with them and support them in building their state. However, the most important item, in which the Gulf states were the first to launch relief bridges, especially Saudi Arabia, which sent its humanitarian planes belonging to the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid to Damascus Airport, carrying relief aid, which includes food, shelter and medical materials, accompanied by a team from the center.

Saudi Arabia has not only provided relief supplies, but the spokesman for the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid said that trucks loaded with fuel will be sent to Syria via Jordan soon, stressing that the Kingdom attaches great importance to its aid to Syria to rehabilitate the energy sector.

These Saudi and Gulf relief efforts were met with widespread popular satisfaction among Syrians, who, as they received the Saudi planes at Damascus airport, expressed their inability to express their gratitude to Saudi Arabia, which they described as the big sister, and its generous and humanitarian support for standing with them in Syria.

Mohammed said: “The Saudi people have always stood with us, and these planes arriving successively at Damascus airport are a testament to the spirit of brotherhood and love that Saudi Arabia has for its brothers in Syria,” expressing his gratitude to Saudi Arabia, both its leadership and its people.