In a surprising turn of Middle Eastern diplomacy, Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering settling Syria’s outstanding $15 million debt to the World Bank, a move that could unlock international aid for the war-ravaged nation. The development, first reported by Reuters on April 14, could represent a major step in Syria’s re-entry into the global financial system following years of isolation and internal upheaval.

This initiative emerges amidst Syria’s rapidly shifting political landscape. In late 2024, the jihadist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a swift and largely unexpected offensive that led to the fall of Damascus and the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled since 2000. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has since assumed the presidency and established a transitional government, which took shape officially in March 2025.

Syria’s future remains uncertain, but the potential financial involvement of Saudi Arabia indicates a broader willingness among Gulf states to play a role in the reconstruction of a country that has been reduced to ruins by over a decade of civil war. Saudi Arabia, a regional heavyweight and long-time political opponent of Assad, could be recalibrating its Syria policy in favor of pragmatism and regional stabilization.

Despite the ongoing presence of US sanctions, particularly those targeting individuals and institutions tied to Assad’s former regime, the international community appears increasingly willing to reengage with Damascus. The World Bank, headquartered in Washington, maintains a policy that prevents disbursement of financial aid to countries with significant arrears. Syria’s outstanding $15 million must be paid before the institution can consider grants or development loans, making........

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