Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met Thursday in his office in Riyadh with the new Syrian administration’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad Hassan Al-Shibani, Minister of Defense Murhaf Abu Qasra, and Head of the General Intelligence Service Anas Khattab.
The meeting covered the latest developments in Syria and ways of supporting the transitional political process to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people while ensuring Syria’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting, alongside Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, and Minister of Defense Office Director-General Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.
Assistants to Syria’s Foreign Minister for Arabian Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs were also present, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
The high-level Syrian delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia Wednesday night.
The delegation was received by Saudi Deputy FM Waleed Elkhereiji at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Meantime, the fifth relief plane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), left King Khalid International Airport for Damascus International Airport Saturday, carrying food, shelter, and medical supplies.
The assistance provides help for the Syrian people in their critical circumstances, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's longstanding support for the brotherly and friendly countries in times of crisis. On 01 January 2025, KSrelief dispatched the first of several aid shipments to Syria.
Advisor to the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the KSrelief Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah told the Saudi Press Agency that “this first airlift will be followed by a land bridge in the coming days.”
He emphasized that these efforts demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian support under its longstanding tradition of aiding brotherly and friendly nations worldwide. He highlighted the Kingdom’s ongoing assistance since the Syrian crisis began in 2011 and Saudi Arabia’s significant role in international humanitarian aid.
Through the KSrelief, Saudi Arabia has consistently provided support to internally displaced Syrians and those in neighboring countries, as well as to victims of the northern Syrian earthquake in February 2023. From 2011 to the end of 2024, the Kingdom's total aid provided by Saudi Arabia to Syria amounted to $856,891,000.
