Israel faces emerging regional alignment as Syria turns to Pakistan after strikes - analysis

Syria's foreign minister arrived in Pakistan for a historic visit, the first in 17 years, signaling Damascus's intent to bolster regional diplomacy even as Israel conducts airstrikes within Syrian territory. The visit by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani to Islamabad, where he met Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, underscores Syria's pursuit of strengthened bilateral relations and cooperation.

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Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday as part of his historic visit to Pakistan.

Syrian state media SANA reported that both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in various fields and praised Pakistan's role in promoting regional peace. This diplomatic outreach occurs in the context of a new alliance formed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, countries that reportedly support Syria. Damascus has condemned recent Israeli strikes on a military airport south of Aleppo, which Jerusalem states were intended to send a message to Ankara regarding its expanding presence in Syria.

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The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields to serve their mutual interests. Al-Shaibani praised Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Ankara, meanwhile, is working to build alliances to counter what it perceives as Israeli aggression, with a growing perception that Turkey might become a regional power similar to Iran. Israel views Syria as a sphere of influence, a perspective shared by Turkey, which has previously intervened in parts of Syria. The current Syrian leadership under President Ahmad al-Sharaa has been cautious to avoid direct conflict with Israel.

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Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad, heading a high-level delegation on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Despite the Israeli strikes, Syria's foreign minister's visit to Pakistan is framed by Syrian media as an opportunity to demonstrate the country's continued high-level diplomatic engagement. SANA highlighted the visit as a crucial step for developing bilateral relations and boosting communication, emphasizing its significance as the first Syrian foreign ministerial visit to Pakistan in nearly two decades.

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The Foreign Ministry’s Media and Communications Department told SANA that the visit is the first by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years, underscoring the importance of developing bilateral relations and boosting communication between the two countries.