Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding between Saudi Arabia and Syria in Riyadh on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
The signing ceremony took place at Al-Yamamah Palace, marking another step towards strengthening diplomatic, economic and strategic relations between the two countries.
According to Syria’s official news agency, SANA, the agreements cover several important sectors, including development, infrastructure, energy, housing, healthcare, industry, agriculture, environmental protection, military cooperation and financial services.
High Level Talks on Bilateral Relations
- Before the signing ceremony, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Ahmed al-Sharaa held discussions on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation between their countries.
- The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest, highlighting the importance of promoting regional security and stability.
- Both countries were represented by senior government officials, including their foreign affairs, defence, finance, industry and other relevant ministers.
Agreements Cover Key Strategic Sectors
The agreements and memorandums of understanding aim to expand cooperation across several areas:
- Military Cooperation: Strengthening defence related cooperation between the two countries.
- Energy: Expanding cooperation in the energy sector.
- Infrastructure: Supporting infrastructure development and reconstruction.
- Housing: Promoting housing and development projects.
- Healthcare: Strengthening cooperation in healthcare services.
- Industry: Encouraging industrial development and partnerships.
- Agriculture: Expanding agricultural cooperation.
- Environment: Supporting environmental initiatives.
- Financial Services: Enhancing cooperation in financial sectors.
The agreements reflect efforts to broaden cooperation beyond diplomatic relations and establish partnerships in economic, security and development sectors.
Background: Growing Saudi-Syrian Relations
- Relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria have strengthened since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
- Saudi Arabia has increasingly engaged with Syria’s new leadership through diplomatic contacts, investment initiatives and reconstruction partnerships.
- In February 2026, the two countries announced major strategic investment agreements covering aviation, telecommunications, infrastructure and water projects. These included plans for Aleppo International Airport development, telecommunications infrastructure, water desalination cooperation and the establishment of a Saudi-Syrian airline.
- The latest agreements in Riyadh build on these earlier efforts to expand bilateral cooperation.
Regional Security and Defence Cooperation
- The latest visit also comes amid discussions about Syria’s possible participation in the Makkah defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye.
- Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani had previously indicated that discussions were taking place regarding possible Syrian participation. However, no official announcement in the latest signing report confirms Syria’s membership in that defence agreement.
- The November 4 agreements represent a broader effort by Riyadh and Damascus to strengthen cooperation in military, economic and development matters.
