Doha, December 07 (QNA) - Throughout the past years, the State of Qatar has proved its enduring position in support of the Syrian people since the onset of their revolution in 2011.

This position has been steadfastly maintained even after the triumph of this revolution through its unyielding support for Syrian statehood by a multitude of means, as part of new political, service, and economic phases launched following the success of the “Deterrence of Aggression” operations in November and December 2024, and the subsequent launch of the political and economic recovery process.

On Jan. 30, the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Damascus was a pivotal milestone in the path of Syria's new transformation. The visit marked the first by an Arab and international leader to Syria following the declaration of victory, imparting significant political and symbolic meaning.

Notably, it took place just hours after the inauguration of HE President Ahmed Al Sharaa as President, sending a clear Qatari message of support for this historic transformation and advancing it on the path of regional and global legitimacy.

Among the first practical steps of Qatari support was the announcement by the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the settlement of Syria's overdue financial obligations to the World Bank, totaling approximately USD 15 million.

This enabled the resumption of the World Bank's programs aimed at rebuilding institutions and bolstering capacities amid widespread destruction and deteriorated infrastructure.

In addition, Qatar actively contributed to supporting international transformations related to the new Syria, welcoming President Donald Trump's intention to lift sanctions on Syria, considering it an important step to promote stability and prosperity.

Qatar further took note of and expressed appreciation for the efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkiye in this regard.

Commenting on the Qatar-Syria relationship, editor-in-chief of Al Sharq newspaper, Jaber Al Harami, told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatar's supportive position for the people of Syria is not something new, but a natural extension of Doha's stance in standing side by side with the Syrians' aspirations since the outbreak of their revolution.

He emphasized that support has been unwavering until the people of Syria achieve their ambitions.

Al Harami noted the visits paid by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani to Damascus in the first days following the declaration of victory, highlighting that the visits were intended to provide any support to the new Syrian statehood as soon as possible.

He added that Qatar does not seek any return for its role in supporting the new Syria and has actively contributed to dismantling the crises surrounding Syria during the transitional phase, through the provision of necessary direct relief assistance for the recovery of the Syrian economy, and supporting Qatar Airways in resuming operations at Damascus International Airport.

The participation of HE President Ahmed Al Sharaa in the Doha Forum 2025 is a new testament to the rock-solid bilateral relationship, ushering in a new era of cohesion and prosperity in areas of cooperation, Al Harami pointed out.

Editor-in-Chief of Al-Arab daily newspaper, Faleh Hussein Al Hajri, affirmed to QNA that Qatar had swiftly acted following the downfall of Bashar Al Assad's regime in December 2024, and the triumph of the Syrian revolution, in support of the phase of transition and recovery.

Qatar had initiated an air bridge to pitch in and provide emergency aid and announced USD 50 million in contributions during the Brussels Conference 2025, in support of the Syrian people, as well as launching joint relief convoys with Jordan, which included 24 trucks laden with food and medicines through Qatar Charity (QC) and Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Al Hajri highlighted.

He noted that Qatar committed to supplying Syria with approximately two million cubic meters of gas daily to operate the Deir Ali power plant, adding around 400 megawatts to the electricity grid, effectively nearly doubling electricity supply hours.

Qatar also financed extensive projects in housing, water, and solar energy in northern Syria through the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), which implemented relief, health, food, and water programs valued at nearly USD 160 million, benefiting over 13 million people, in addition to providing a medical package worth QAR 45 million in collaboration with Sidra Medicine, Al Hajri noted.

Al Hajri elaborated that Qatar collaborated, through the Education Above All Foundation, with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on programs aimed at ensuring education for tens, and possibly hundreds, of thousands of Syrian children who had been bereft of schooling, in addition to child protection and orphan care projects implemented by QC within Syria.

Qatari visits to Syria continued. On Jan. 16, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani visited Damascus, where he met HE President Ahmed Al Sharaa at the People's Palace.

During the visit, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the provision of essential technical support to resume Syria's infrastructure, emphasizing Qatar's readiness to supply Syria with 200 megawatts of electricity, with a plan to incrementally increase production.

This move sent a clear signal that Qatar's role goes beyond traditional support, assuming a strategic character aimed at building a new reality of sustainable cooperation.

Furthermore, HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi visited Damascus on Dec. 23, 2024, just two weeks after the fall of the previous regime, where he met HE President Ahmed Al Sharaa to discuss bilateral relations and assess the urgent needs of Damascus International Airport, as well as explore ways to provide support for its resumption as part of humanitarian and development assistance offered by the State of Qatar.

The Qatari visits to Syria have had a significant role in contributing to rebuilding efforts and dispatching technical equipment to recommission the Damascus International Airport.

Qatar Airways was the first civil airline to resume flights to Damascus International Airport following the downfall of the erstwhile regime, in a clear indicator of Qatar's effective engagement. This comes against the backdrop of previous Qatari investments in Syria, along with strategic agreements and numerous infrastructure projects.

The Aleppo countryside witnessed the inauguration of the "City of Hope" project in the A'zaz area, implemented in strategic collaboration between QC and Turkiye's Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), with HE Minister of State for International Cooperation Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad in attendance.

The project comprises 1,400 fully equipped housing units to accommodate 8,800 individuals from families displaced to camps due to the war.

Interestingly, Qatar continued to implement the “Qatar with You” campaign, which targeted support for the liberated Syrian cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Idlib, Homs, and Rural Damascus, reflecting its effective engagement and commitment to sustainable humanitarian and development assistance.

Globally, Qatar took part in the Ministerial Conference on Syria convened in Paris on Feb. 13, and expressed its welcome before the UN Security Council in New York of the steps taken by the new Syrian administration to protect civilians and ensure the stability of the state institutions, as well as the continuation of public services, alongside efforts to restructure the state and enhance consensus among various parties, paving the way for the building of a state of law, stability, and development.

On Feb. 23, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic Asaad Al Shaibani.

During the meeting, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the State of Qatar's unwavering support for the unity, sovereignty, and independence of Syria, as well as the aspirations of its people to build a state of institutions and the rule of law.

His Excellency also participated in the joint ministerial meeting of GCC Foreign Ministers with the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah on March 6.

On March 10, Qatar welcomed the agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces into the institutions of the Syrian Arab Republic, marking a significant step toward consolidating civil peace, enhancing stability, and reinforcing state institutions.

On March 17, Qatar participated in the 9th Brussels Conference on Syria, under the theme “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition,” organized by the European Union.

The move underscores Doha's enduring support for the Syrian transitional process on the global stage.

In a move of high political significance, Qatar resumed the operation of its embassy in Damascus after nearly thirteen years since severing diplomatic relations with the Syrian regime in 2011, becoming the second country after Turkiye to reopen its embassy, in line with its principled stance supporting the aspirations of the Syrian people.

During his visit to Doha on April 16, HE President Ahmed Al Sharaa expressed his appreciation for Qatar's role, stating in a post on X that he would not forget Qatar's sincere position and its steadfast support for the Syrian people.

In parallel with this political support, Qatar's humanitarian and diplomatic stance played a key role in backing the Syrian state during the transitional phase, with Qatar acting as a diplomatic lever, encouraging other nations to take constructive steps in support of the new Syrian administration, despite the difficulties and challenges encountered.

Doha welcomed the steps taken by Syria to promote national consensus and consolidate a state of law and institutions, as part of the transition from revolutionary legitimacy to international legitimacy. (QNA)