Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani is set to visit Pakistan for a two-day trip, marking his first official visit since the 2024 ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The visit, scheduled for August 19 and 20, is expected to take place at the invitation of Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The move comes amid heightened regional tensions following recent Israeli airstrikes on a Syrian airbase, which have drawn condemnation from Damascus, Ankara, and Washington.
The Israeli strike, which damaged a Syrian military airbase in the northwest, has sparked international reactions. Damascus called the attack an "unjustified act of aggression," while Ankara accused Israel of acting without regard for regional stability. The U.S. Has expressed frustration over the escalation, with officials warning against further provocation. Analysts suggest the attack may have been intended as a message to Damascus, discouraging the rebuilding of Syria’s air force.
Meanwhile, the UN nuclear watchdog has confirmed that material remains in Syrian custody at a site previously bombed by Israel in 2007. The agency’s director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, visited the location, raising concerns about its potential nuclear use. Syria has pledged to cooperate with international inspections to ensure the site is secure.
The Syrian foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan underscores the country’s efforts to reengage with regional diplomacy amid ongoing conflicts and international scrutiny.
