Syrian President al-Shara Visits Bahrain; Analyst Says Seeking Regional Alignment and Legitimacy Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Bahrain to rebuild ties with Gulf states and end Syria’s isolation, signaling growing acceptance and a push for reintegration and reconstruction Rizik Alabi/The Media Line In a new step reflecting Syria’s diplomatic and political re-engagement under President Ahmad […]
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The Media Line: Syrian President al-Shara Visits Bahrain; Analyst Says Seeking Regional Alignment and Legitimacy
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Syrian President al-Shara Visits Bahrain; Analyst Says Seeking Regional Alignment and Legitimacy
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Bahrain to rebuild ties with Gulf states and end Syria’s isolation, signaling growing acceptance and a push for reintegration and reconstruction
In a new step reflecting Syria’s diplomatic and political re-engagement under President Ahmad al-Sharaa, the Syrian leader arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain on Saturday, heading an official delegation. Senior Bahraini officials, including Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Affairs and Youth Affairs, and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, received him at the Sakhir Air Base.
According to the Syrian state news agency, the visit is part of efforts to “strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.” However, the timing and broader geopolitical context suggest a more strategic significance, as the Syrian arena witnesses notable political shifts, particularly in rebuilding ties with Gulf Arab states.
The visit to Manama is part of an active diplomatic tour led by al-Sharaa since assuming office a few months ago. His tour has already taken him to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan—countries that, in the past, were among the strongest advocates of isolating Syria under former president Bashar Assad. Today, Syria’s new leadership seems to be redefining its regional relationships through a softer, more pragmatic approach driven by both political necessity and economic urgency, especially with the enormous demands of post-war reconstruction and internal challenges.
While Bahrain may be a relatively minor political player compared to its Gulf neighbors, it holds symbolic weight in this process. Manama was one of the first Gulf capitals to reopen its embassy in Damascus in 2018 and is closely aligned with the Saudi-Emirati political axis. This visit is therefore viewed as another signal of growing Gulf acceptance of the new Syrian leadership.
Al-Sharaa’s visit to Bahrain also coincides with noticeable developments on the international stage. Just days ago, he held what was described as a “landmark” meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, raising questions about the possibility of easing or even lifting European sanctions imposed on Syria more than a decade ago. While no official statement has been issued from Paris regarding sanctions, the meeting represents a diplomatic breakthrough after years of total disengagement between Damascus and European capitals.
Observers see al-Sharaa’s foreign engagements as part of a broader attempt to close the chapter of the previous regime and gradually reintegrate Syria into the regional and international order. This includes political openness to sensitive issues such as the return of refugees, reconstruction efforts, and even the fate of foreign nationals missing in Syria.
Lebanese political analyst Nidal Abdullah told The Media Line that “President al-Sharaa’s visit to Bahrain carries a dual message: on one hand, it affirms the Gulf’s growing openness to the new Syria, and on the other, it reflects Damascus’s effort to expand its regional support base in light of slow international responsiveness.”
Abdullah added, “The visit is particularly important as it comes amid internal Gulf Cooperation Council discussions on future ties with Iran, Syria’s strategic ally. This could potentially position Syria as a mediator in narrowing the gap between the two sides.”
President al-Sharaa’s Gulf tour, including his current stop in Bahrain, reflects Syria’s attempt to implement a “soft diplomacy” strategy to break out of regional and international isolation. Damascus’s leadership appears aware that the path to global reintegration remains complex and fraught with challenges.
Nonetheless, the symbolic and practical outcomes of these visits—from the warm official welcomes to the behind-the-scenes talks on sanctions—indicate that the Syrian political landscape is indeed shifting. Whether this visit is a prelude to broader movements or merely a symbolic gesture, it clearly marks a calculated diplomatic push by Damascus to reestablish itself as a credible and active player in the Arab world.