President Ahmad Al Shara Tours Gulf to Secure Investments

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara conducted a diplomatic tour of the Gulf region in late April 2026 to accelerate the reconstruction of Syria through foreign investment. In Jeddah, Al Shara met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional connectivity and economic ties. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a primary investor in Syria's recovery, launching the Elaf Investment fund to provide $2 billion for airport redevelopment in Aleppo and eastern Syria, and partnering with the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority to create flynas Syria.

Following the Saudi meeting, Al Shara traveled to Abu Dhabi on April 23 for a working visit with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders discussed development cooperation and Middle East security. During the visit, Al Shara condemned Iranian attacks against civilians and infrastructure in the UAE and other regional states, calling them violations of international law. This stance aligns with Al Shara's broader strategic pivot away from Iran toward Washington.

Concurrent with these diplomatic efforts, the UAE continued to coordinate regional security with European allies. On April 22, President Al Nahyan met with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in Abu Dhabi to expand military partnerships and counterterrorism efforts. Crosetto also condemned Iranian attacks in the region, characterizing them as violations of state sovereignty.