Relationship dossier
Qatar
Syria
Relationship assessment
From conflict-era confrontation to renewed Qatari engagement with Syria’s transitional authorities
Qatar toward Syria
-5Qatar supported Syrian opposition groups and political bodies during the conflict, including hosting the Syrian opposition coalition in Doha. After the Assad government fell, Qatar restored its embassy in Damascus and pursued engagement and assistance with Syria’s transitional authorities.
Syria toward Qatar
-5Under Bashar al-Assad, Syria severed diplomatic relations with Qatar and opposed its support for the Syrian opposition. Syria’s transitional authorities have since engaged with Qatar, although the extent and durability of this cooperation remain uncertain.
Overall relationship
0The relationship was shaped by Qatar’s support for the Syrian opposition and the Assad government’s rupture with Doha, followed by a major political change in Syria. Qatar’s reopening of its embassy and engagement with transitional authorities mark a cooperative shift, but its long-term character is not yet clear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Qatar backed Syrian opposition forces and political bodies during the Syrian conflict, while the Assad government severed diplomatic ties and opposed Qatar’s role. After the Assad government fell, Qatar restored its embassy in Damascus and engaged with Syria’s transitional authorities, including through humanitarian and reconstruction support. The relationship has therefore shifted from substantial political confrontation toward cooperation, with the durability and scope of the newer partnership still developing.
Areas of tension
- Qatar’s support for Syrian opposition groups and political bodies during the conflict was opposed by the Assad government.
- The Assad government’s severing of diplomatic ties with Qatar.
Key developments
Qatar hosted the Syrian opposition coalition in Doha during its formation and supported the opposition’s political role.
The Assad government severed diplomatic relations with Qatar amid the Syrian conflict.
After the fall of the Assad government, Qatar reopened its embassy in Damascus and engaged with Syria’s transitional authorities.
Major uncertainties
- The long-term scope of Qatari assistance and investment in Syria is unclear.
- The durability of cooperation between Qatar and Syria’s transitional authorities remains uncertain.