meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Syria makes progress towards reunification

24 April 2025

 

Following the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad in late 2024, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has rapidly consolidated power in Syria. He has transitioned from a militant and political outsider into a credible leader increasingly recognised in the region and on the world stage.

Within Syria, Al-Sharaa faces political, economic, military and civil challenges in pulling the country back together again. In recent weeks, a prominent focus has been the reunification of Syria’s fractured security landscape through the negotiated dissolution and integration of smaller rebel factions into a centralised military structure under the Ministry of Defence.

Rebel disbandment

Most recently, the new government brokered the dissolution of the Eighth Brigade, a 3,000-strong rebel group based in the southern city of Daraa that had waged an insurgency against the government of Bashar Al-Assad since 2018.

That outcome proved a relief to the government after its trustworthiness in talks was thrown into doubt by the chaos that erupted in Syria’s coastal region on 6 March as Islamist groups committed massacres against Alawite civilians in revenge over attacks by Assad loyalists.

On 9 March, Al-Sharaa appointed a committee to report on the violence, determine its perpetrators and theoretically hold them to account. That move caused some murmurings within his own ranks, but externally it showed the president’s commitment, in principle, to justice.

It also appeared to serve the political imperatives of the moment. Just a day later, on 10 March, the reassured Kurdish- led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – representing tens of thousands of trained soldiers – signed a deal to integrate its forces into the national army.

The deal marked perhaps the most significant step towards national reunification so far, promising to restore to government control a swathe of northeastern Syria and its oil fields that has been largely lost to Damascus since the 2014 invasion by the Islamic State.

The integration of the SDF into the national military also appears to have been accepted by the US, which had been supporting the SDF military as an independent force in the northeast of the country, but has now announced the planned staggered withdrawal of its stationed troops.

Al-Sharaa has been making his rounds of the region in a diplomatic blitz aimed at shoring up regional support for his new government

Broader priorities

Alongside reconsolidating and restructuring the country’s military and security apparatus, Al-Sharaa’s main priorities are foreign affairs and economic policy. These two areas go hand in hand, given that removing international sanctions is key to reviving Syria’s economy.

In late March, Al-Sharaa entrenched his authority by enacting a new constitutional declaration, announcing a new transitional government and granting himself sweeping executive powers, including the right to appoint a third of the legislature and select judges for the constitutional court.

The cabinet was also broadened and reshuffled to address concerns over the lack of representation from minority communities. Individuals from the Alawite, Druze and Christian communities, as well as one woman, were appointed to ministerial positions.

The move further witnessed the replacement of the formerly appointed justice minister Shadi Al-Waisi, whose elevation embarrassed the government after 2015 videos surfaced of him presiding over street executions by morality police as part of the then Nusra Front. His removal was another reassuring step for observers that the government is attuned and reactive to constructive criticism.

With the right signals sent, Al-Sharaa has been making his rounds of the region in a diplomatic blitz aimed at shoring up regional support for his new government. He is likely also aiming to put the right words in the right ears, in the hope that they filter through the Gulf’s power lobbying system to the US.

Already on 30 January, just a day after Al-Sharaa became president, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani flew to greet the man who displaced Al-Assad – a goal also long pursued by Doha. On 2 February, Al-Sharaa then took his first trip abroad to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Some other regional governments have been more reticent to launch into renewed relations, but have increasingly come on board.

This includes Iraq, which, hesitant over Al-Sharaa’s past militant activity against Baghdad, only arranged a meeting between the Syrian president and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on 17 April in Doha – ultimately driven by shared security imperatives. Al-Sudani also invited Al-Sharaa to attend the upcoming Arab summit in Baghdad in May.

On 14 April, the equally green Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also met with Al-Sharaa in Damascus – no doubt keen to address the recent border clashes between the two countries. A day earlier, Al-Sharaa was in Abu Dhabi to meet Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, rounding out his visits to the key power brokers and budget holders in the Gulf.

Between all of these meetings, Al-Sharaa appears to have ingratiated himself with the region’s other leaders with remarkable rapidity and ease. A year after the Arab League reaccepted him in May 2023, Al-Assad had made little comparable progress.

For world leaders weary from years of dithering by Al-Assad’s government, which was unable or unwilling to even acquiesce to the Gulf’s most basic request – to stem the flow of the drug captagon from within Syria’s borders – Al-Sharaa is at least a partner who can do that and achieve far more besides. 

For years, it has been the case that a reunified Syria and a rebuilt Syrian economy would lift the entire Levant region and any Gulf investors with it. The appetite in the region to see it succeed has been there. All that has been missing is a suitable partner in Damascus to move forward with.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13747658/main.gif
John Bambridge

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Firms submit Saudi customs warehouses PPP bids

    7 November 2025

     

    Three Saudi-based firms submitted bids on 29 September for a contract to build new customs warehouses in Saudi Arabia.

    The project is being tendered as a public-private partnership (PPP) on a design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer basis, with a contract duration of 15 years, including the construction period.

    The bidders include:

    • Al-Drees Petroleum & Transport Services Company
    • Lamar Holding
    • Mada International Holding

    The contract scope covers the development of 13 warehouses – including the design and construction of 12 new facilities and the renovation of one – across 13 different points of entry in the kingdom, along with the maintenance of all sites.

    The contract also includes the supply of equipment, as well as logistical support and cleaning services, for all new and existing warehouses at 38 points of entry across the kingdom.

    In January, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (Zatca), through the National Centre for Privatisation and PPP (NCP), prequalified five companies to bid, MEED reported.

    The client issued the expressions of interest (EOI) and request for qualifications (RFQ) notices for the project in October last year.

    PPP plans

    In April 2023, Saudi Arabia announced a privatisation and public-private partnership (P&PPP) pipeline comprising 200 projects across 16 sectors.

    The P&PPP pipeline aims to attract both local and international investors and ensure their readiness to participate in the schemes tendered to the market.

    The initiative supports the kingdom’s efforts to enhance the attractiveness of its economy and increase the private sector’s contribution to GDP.

    READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15040496/main.gif
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Turkish contractor wins Aldar Verdes by Haven project

    7 November 2025

     

    Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer Aldar Properties has appointed Turkish firm Nurol Construction as the main contractor to build its Verdes by Haven residential complex in the Wadi Al-Safa 5 area of Dubai. 

    Aldar is developing the project in partnership with Dubai Holding.

    Verdes by Haven is a multi-building complex featuring 1,050 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

    The broader Haven development will include 2,428 residential units and cover 1 square kilometre. The first phase comprises 462 residential units, including three- and four-bedroom townhouses and three- to six-bedroom villas. 

    Construction of the first phase began last year, and the project is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2027.

    The project is located opposite the Al-Habtoor Polo Resort on the Dubai-Al-Ain road.

    Dubai-based architectural firm Dewan Architects & Engineers is the lead design consultant for the project, working alongside US-based OBM International, the architectural design consultant.

    UK-based data analytics firm GlobalData predicts that the UAE construction sector will grow by 4.2% in real terms in 2025, driven by infrastructure, energy, utilities and residential construction projects. It is also estimated that projects worth more than $323bn are in the execution or planning stages in the UAE.

    The construction industry is expected to register an annual average growth of 3.8% in 2025-28, supported by investments in transport, housing and renewable energy projects. 

    READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15037432/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Procurement begins for Abu Dhabi light rail transit

    7 November 2025

     

    Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC) has asked contractors to express interest in a design-and-build contract covering the construction of the first phase of the light rail transit network.

    The project's first phase will span 19 kilometres (km) and include 23 stations, connecting Zayed International airport (AUH) with nearby areas, including Yas Island, Al‑Raha Beach and Khalifa City.

    The key sections of the tram are:

    AUH to Yas Island: The tram will start from Terminal A at AUH and run through the Yas tunnel to Yas Gateway Park. It will serve areas including Yas Bay, Media Zone, Yas Plaza, Yas Drive, Yas Mall, Sea World and Water Edge.

    This section covers 13km and includes 13 at-grade stations and one underground station.

    Al-Raha: This section will stretch for 4.3km and run along Al-Raha Street. It will serve areas including Al-Zeina, Al-Muneera and Al-Bandar, towards the Aldar head office. The section will include seven at-grade stations.

    Etihad Plaza: This section will pass the Etihad Aviation Training Centre and span about 1.7km. It will feature a main depot near the Etihad Airways headquarters, along with two at-grade stations.

    The tender also covers the procurement of 25 trams, each with a capacity of 270 people, along with associated systems.

    The project was officially launched at the GlobalRail exhibition in Abu Dhabi in early October.

    Referred to as Abu Dhabi Tram Line 4, the project will be delivered in three phases.

    Construction of the first phase is expected to start next year. The tram is slated to begin operations by 2030.

    Future phases will extend towards Khalifa City and serve additional destinations across Yas Island.

    The project forms a key part of the recently announced AED170bn ($46bn) package of national transport and road projects to be implemented by 2030.

    The announcement was made by the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al-Mazrouei, while speaking at the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi on 5 November.

    Al-Mazrouei said the projects are part of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility across the country.

    The initiatives include expanding major roads, upgrading public transport, and implementing high-speed and light rail projects.

    ADTC was established in 2023 to implement, operate and develop transport systems in rural and urban areas across the emirate.

    The company is responsible for developing rail systems and related services and operations, and providing integrated transport services, including vehicle and bus rental.

    ADTC was established by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

    READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15037199/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • UAE unveils $46bn road and rail spending plan

    6 November 2025

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    The UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al-Mazrouei, has announced a AED170bn ($46bn) package of national transport and road projects to be implemented by 2030.

    Speaking at the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi on 5 November, Al-Mazrouei said the projects form part of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at easing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility across the country.

    The initiatives include expanding major roads, upgrading public transport, and implementing high-speed and light rail projects.

    Road expansion projects

    Road projects include adding six lanes to Etihad Road – three in each direction – increasing its capacity by 60% to a total of 12 lanes.

    Emirates Road will be expanded to 10 lanes along its full length, raising capacity by 65% and reducing travel time by 45%.

    Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road will also be widened to 10 lanes, enhancing capacity by 45%.

    The plan further includes a study for a fourth federal highway, extending 120 kilometres with 12 lanes and a capacity of up to 360,000 trips per day.

    Work has already started on the AED750m Emirates Road upgrade, which is scheduled for completion within two years.

    In July, Kuwaiti contractor Combined Group Contracting Company (CGCC) announced that its local subsidiary had secured a AED685m contract to upgrade Emirates Road from the Al-Badea intersection in Sharjah to the E55 intersection in Dubai.

    Rail services

    For rail, Etihad Rail remains on track to launch its passenger transport services by 2026 and has received bids from contractors for the design-and-build contract covering civil works and station packages for the high-speed railway (HSR) line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

    The HSR trains will have a design speed of 350km/h and an operating speed of 320km/h.

    The proposed HSR programme will be developed in four phases, gradually extending connectivity across the UAE:

    The first phase involves constructing a railway line connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which is expected to be operational by 2030. The second phase will develop an inner‑city railway network with 10 stations within the city of Abu Dhabi. The third phase of the railway network involves constructing a connection between Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain. The fourth phase involves developing an inter-emirate connection between Dubai and Sharjah.

    Light rail projects include the Abu Dhabi tram scheme, which was announced by Abu Dhabi Transport Company (ADTC) in October. It will connect Zayed International airport (AUH) with nearby areas, including Yas Island, Al‑Raha Beach and Khalifa City.

    Referred to as Abu Dhabi Tram Line 4, the project will be delivered in three phases. The first phase will connect AUH with Yas Island and the residential areas of Al‑Raha Beach. Future phases will extend towards Khalifa City and serve additional destinations across Yas Island.

    Construction of the first phase is expected to start next year. The tram is slated to begin operations by 2030.

    READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15032097/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Egypt awards contracts for 1,200MW solar plants

    6 November 2025

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    A consortium of Egypt’s Hassan Allam Utilities Energy and Infinity Power has won contracts to develop two major solar projects with a combined capacity of 1,200MW and 720 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage.

    The agreements were signed with Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity & Renewable Energy and Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC).

    The consortium will develop a 200MW solar plant in Benban, including 120MWh of connected battery storage, which is scheduled to reach commercial operation by the third quarter of 2026.

    A second, larger 1,000MW solar plant will be built in Minya, incorporating 600MWh of storage and targeting completion by the third quarter of 2027.

    The projects will be developed under the Hassan Allam Utilities Energy Platform, a renewable energy investment vehicle co-owned by Hassan Allam Utilities, the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) and France-based investment firm Meridiam.

    The platform currently has 2.3GW of projects under development, with a total investment of about $2bn and commercial operation expected between 2026 and 2027.

    Its wider pipeline includes 1.65GW of additional projects, comprising 350MW of solar and 1.3GW of wind capacity valued at $1.5bn.

    Infinity Power, a joint venture of Egypt’s Infinity and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), said the new projects form part of its strategy to reach 10GW of renewable capacity across Africa by 2030.

    The company operates solar, wind and storage projects in Egypt, South Africa and Senegal.

    US/India-based Synergy Consulting is providing financial advisory services to the consortium for the project.

    The signing took place in the presence of Egypt’s Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat. The developments support Egypt’s goal of generating 42% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2035.

    READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15031708/main.JPG
    Mark Dowdall