Qatar's emir discusses Syria peace, stability with President al-Sharaa

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa held a high-level phone discussion on Tuesday centered on supporting peaceful pathways to stability in Syria. The call, confirmed by the Amiri Diwan, also served to review and strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations amidst a pivotal moment in Syria's internal political and military landscape.

Focus on Sovereignty and Peaceful Solutions

According to the official statement, the two leaders addressed the latest regional and international developments, with particular attention to the situation in Syria. They emphasized efforts aimed at "supporting pathways for peace and political stability through dialogue and peaceful solutions." A core principle highlighted was the necessity of any solution preserving "Syria’s unity and sovereignty over its entire territory," reflecting a shared interest in a stable and sovereign Syrian state.

Context of a Major Internal Syrian Agreement

The diplomatic exchange occurred against the backdrop of a significant internal Syrian development. Earlier on Tuesday, Damascus had announced a major "mutual understanding" with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). This agreement establishes frameworks for the military, administrative, and political integration of SDF-controlled areas into the Syrian state. To facilitate this process, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced a concurrent four-day ceasefire. The timing suggests the Qatari-Syrian call was partly aimed at discussing this new internal arrangement and its implications for the broader peace process.

Qatar's Evolving Role in Syrian Reconciliation

Qatar, a wealthy Gulf state with significant diplomatic influence, has played a complex and evolving role in the Syrian conflict. While it supported opposition groups in the early years of the war, this high-level engagement with President al-Sharaa signals a potential shift toward supporting political reconciliation and the rehabilitation of the Syrian government within the Arab world. Such diplomacy aligns with a broader regional trend of Arab states normalizing ties with Damascus to address shared concerns like refugee returns and counter-terrorism.

Türkiye's Interests in a Sovereign and Stable Syria

For Türkiye, which shares a long border with Syria, the principles of Syrian unity and sovereignty championed in this call align closely with its own long-term strategic interests. Ankara has consistently opposed any separatist agendas or foreign-backed autonomous structures, particularly those of the PKK/YPG, which it views as an existential threat. A peaceful, stable, and sovereign Syria under a central government is seen as the only viable framework for ensuring Türkiye's border security, facilitating the return of millions of Syrian refugees, and fostering regional economic cooperation. Türkiye would view constructive Arab engagement, like Qatar's, that supports these ends as a positive development for regional stability.