Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has maintained active communication with all regional stakeholders on Syria and is committed to preventing chaos following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, a Saudi official said on Sunday.
Engagement with Regional Stakeholders
“We are in constant communication with Turkey and every stakeholder involved,” the official told Reuters, adding that the kingdom is unaware of Assad’s current whereabouts. According to the official, Assad’s failure to re-engage with regional actors and the opposition was a critical factor in his downfall.
“The Turkish government attempted to engage and coordinate with the Syrian government, but these overtures were met with refusal,” the official said. “The current situation is a direct consequence of the Syrian government’s lack of engagement in the political process. This outcome reflects the inevitable result of such intransigence.”
Past Attempts at Reconciliation
Assad’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2023 to attend an Arab League summit marked his first such engagement after a 12-year suspension. During the summit, he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in hopes of encouraging constructive dialogue.
“The hope was that this move would influence the Syrian government to engage more constructively with the opposition and the various stakeholders within Syria and in the region, rather than allowing the existing stalemate and fragile peace to be taken for granted,” the official explained.
However, the official noted that the message failed to spur meaningful action. “We emphasized that the situation should not be underestimated, as it remained precarious. Unfortunately, this message did not result in any meaningful action from the Syrian side.”
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A Transition Without Bloodshed
Despite the challenges, the Saudi official highlighted positive developments in the aftermath of Assad’s removal.
“Notably, the transition has occurred without bloodshed, which is encouraging,” the official stated. “Additionally, we appreciate the statements from various stakeholders emphasizing the importance of protecting state institutions, the sovereignty of Syria, and the rights of minority groups.”
The official expressed hope for the continuation of these trends. “We hope to see these positive trends continue and are committed to doing everything we can to maintain this momentum.”
