Syrian delegation visits Saudi Arabia in first official trip after regime change

A high-level Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia on January 1 for the first official visit by the new Syrian authorities since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in early December, according to state media reports.

Syrian news agency SANA reported that "a Syrian official delegation led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and Head of General Intelligence Anas Khattab arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh for their first official foreign visit after an invitation from the Saudi Foreign Minister," Caliber.Az reports via foreing media.

The delegation was received at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh by Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdul Karim al-Khuraiji.

In a related development, Saudi authorities announced on January 1 the launch of a humanitarian airlift to Syria, carrying medical, food, and shelter supplies to help alleviate the difficult conditions facing Syrians. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that "the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center launched the first flights of Saudi humanitarian aid to the brotherly Syrian people from King Khalid International Airport, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies destined for Damascus International Airport to help alleviate the hardships faced by the Syrian people."

Abdullah al-Rabeeah, the center's general supervisor, stated, "The airlift that started today will be followed by a land bridge in the coming days to provide urgent relief to our Syrian brothers."

The visit follows a high-level Saudi delegation's trip to Damascus at the end of last month, where they met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the new Syrian administration, also known as "Abu Mohammad al-Julani."

The Syrian conflict, which has been ongoing since 2011, has resulted in the collapse of Syria's healthcare system. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted last week that "about half of Syria's hospitals are out of service," exacerbating the suffering of the Syrian population.

By Vugar Khalilov