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Qatar–Syria relations

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Qatar-Syria relations
Map indicating locations of Qatar and Syria

Qatar
Syria

Qatar–Syria relations are the bilateral relations between Qatar and Syria. Qatar closed its Damascus embassy in 2011.[1] Qatari government recognized National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces and gave it the Syrian embassy in Doha.[2] The relationship between both countries has changed significantly over the past few years, largely as a result of the civil war in Syria.

History of relations

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Both countries established diplomatic ties on 19 January 1972.[3] In 1995, Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad sided with Saudi Arabia against Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani when he deposed his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani in a bloodless coup. Later on, Bashar Al-Assad visited Doha in 2003, which initiated a new chapter of economic, trading and investment relations. In May 2010, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed support for Turkish-led efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.[4]

Before the beginning of the Syrian conflict, Qatar and Syria had a fairly positive relationship and maintained diplomatic connections.[5] Since 2005, the two countries had regular visits from top officials and their trade and investment relations were strengthening. Qatar has made investments in multiple areas in Syria, such as the real estate, financial and tourism sectors.[5]

Syrian Civil War

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Main article: Qatari involvement in the Syrian civil war
See also: Qatar and state-sponsored terrorism

In 2011, as the Syrian civil war began, Qatar, like other regional actors, joined in backing opposition factions aiming to overthrow the government of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.[6] Qatar primarily aimed to strengthen MB's influence in the region and advance its own interests by offering support to the Syrian opposition.[6] Qatar offered financial and military support to different rebel factions, comprising both secular and Islamist organizations such as the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, through the NGOs like the Sheikh Eid bin Mohammad Al Thani Charitable Association,[7] Qatar Charity[8] or Alkarama.[9][10]

Qatar and Turkey formed a single bloc in the Syrian conflict and supported the same rebel groups,[11] including internationally designated terrorist groups, such as Tahrir al-Sham Islamist alliance, jihadist umbrella group Syrian Islamic Front,[12] Islamic Front, Jaysh al-Islam, Ahrar al-Sham[13] and Al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front.[14][15] One prominent militant group funded by both Turkey and Qatar is the pro-Islamist Syrian National Council.[16] According to reports both countries provided weaponry, munitions, and additional financial support to the militant groups, such as the Free Syrian Army, Syrian National Army,[17] Army of Conquest and has transformed the Syrian embassy in Doha into an operations room for adversaries of Syria.[18] Both were also involved in the CIA–led Timber Sycamore covert operation to train and arm Syrian rebels.[19] Moreover, Qatar had a noteworthy involvement in training and instructing rebel fighters through the "MOM" (Müşterek Operasyon Merkezi) command center in Turkey.[20] Qatar has been the biggest sponsor of Syrian rebel forces during the war.[21][22]

In April 2023, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in cooperation with the Turkish Presidency of Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD), announced plans to build a city in northern Syria, which would house 70,000 displaced Syrians, following the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.[23][24] In June 2023, Qatar pledged to donate $75 million for humanitarian needs to Syria.[25]

In May 2023, the Syrian government returned to the Arab League. Despite Qatar's refusal and the statement of its foreign minister that the reasons for suspending Syria's membership still exist,[26] Doha did not formally object to the return of Damascus.[27]

In August 2023, Qatar Charity rehabilitated the Bablit Water Station in northern Syria, enhancing water access and employment opportunities in the region.[28][29] As of 2024, the Syrian–Qatari reaprochement is still unlikely, because of Qatari support to the islamist militant groups in Northern Syria.[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Qatar says Syria apologizes for embassy attack". Al Arabiya English. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  2. ^ "First Syrian opposition embassy opens in Qatar". GlobalPost. 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
  3. ^ ARR: Arab Report and Record. Economic Features, Limited, 1972. p. 38.
  4. ^ "Turkey says Syria, Qatar back Iran plan". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Qatar and several other Arab states balk at readmitting Syria to the Arab League • Stimson Center". 20 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b Roula Khalaf and Abigail Fielding Smith (16 May 2013). "Qatar bankrolls Syrian revolt with cash and arms". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 June 2013. (subscription required)
  7. ^ Warrick, Joby; Root, Tik (2013-12-22). "Islamic charity officials gave millions to al-Qaeda, U.S. says". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  8. ^ "Uncharitable Organizations". Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  9. ^ Mendick, Robert (2014-10-12). "Al-Qaeda terror financier worked for Qatari government". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  10. ^ "Treasury Targets Key Al-Qa'ida Funding and Support Network Using Iran as a Critical Transit Point". www.treasury.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  11. ^ "Are Saudi Arabia and Turkey About to Intervene in Syria?". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Qatar Charity, Pioneer and Master of Terror Finance". Archived from the original on 2016-08-23. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  13. ^ "The Army of Islam Is Winning in Syria". Foreign Policy. October 2013.
  14. ^ "Gulf crisis seen widening split in Syria rebellion". Reuters.
  15. ^ Kim Sengupta (12 May 2015). "Turkey and Saudi Arabia alarm the West by backing Islamist extremists the Americans had bombed in Syria". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022.
  16. ^ Ribal Al-Assad (18 October 2013). "Islamism: Syria's Growing Cancer". Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Syrian rebels meet in Qatar after declaring unified 'national army'". No. 7 September 2017. Middle East Eye. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  18. ^ Coetzee, Salidor Christoffel (2 March 2021). The Eye of the Storm. Partridge Publishing Singapore. ISBN 9781543759501.
  19. ^ Mazzetti, Mark; Apuzzo, Matt (23 January 2016). "U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels". The New York Times.
  20. ^ "Turkey, Qatar strengthen economic ties". Al Monitor. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  21. ^ "FT: Qatar Spends Billions in Syria, Pays $50,000 per Dissident". Al-Manar News. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  22. ^ Kirkpatrick, David D. (2014-09-08). "Qatar's Support of Islamists Alienates Allies Near and Far". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  23. ^ "Qatar Fund for Development is establishing an integrated city in northern Syria in cooperation with AFAD". reliefweb.int. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  24. ^ Qarjouli, Asmahan (2023-06-25). "Qatar delivers all 10,000 World Cup mobile homes to Turkey-Syria earthquake victims". Doha News. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  25. ^ "The State of Qatar Pledges $75 Million to Providing Syrian People's Humanitarian Needs". www.mofa.gov.qa. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  26. ^ "Factbox: Then and now: How Arab states changed course on Syria". Reuters. 19 May 2023.
  27. ^ "Qatar comments on Syria's return to the Arab League". 8 May 2023.
  28. ^ "Qatar Charity rehabilitates water station in northern Syria - Syrian Arab Republic". reliefweb.int. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  29. ^ Qarjouli, Asmahan (2023-08-10). "Qatar Charity begins urgent repairs on northern Syria water station after 12-year shutdown". Doha News | Qatar. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  30. ^ Qatar Says No to Rapprochement with Syrian Regime
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