Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa Meets US, Turkmen, UAE, Azerbaijan Delegations Including Deputy PM Samir Sharifov

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has engaged in a series of diplomatic meetings in Damascus, hosting delegations from the United States, the Syrian Turkmen Council, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan. On May 2, al-Sharaa met with a U.S. delegation led by businessman Jonathan Pace at the People's Palace. The following day, he received the Syrian Turkmen Council delegation headed by Faisal Jumaa bin Jassim.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani also met with a UAE delegation led by Abdullah Lutah, the UAE Deputy Minister for Cabinet Affairs in charge of knowledge exchange and competitiveness. On May 4, al-Sharaa welcomed the Azerbaijani delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Samir Sharifov to discuss bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan's diplomatic engagement with Syria comes amid Turkey's efforts to strengthen its military presence in Syria. Azerbaijan, a key ally of Israel and its primary fuel supplier, appears to be expanding its influence in the Middle East through these diplomatic channels. The meeting with Azerbaijan follows the postponement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Baku, highlighting shifting regional dynamics.