Last Thursday, the Syrian government signed a co-operation agreement with Saudi Arabia on combating corruption.

The agreement was represented by:

▪️ Mazen Al-Kahmous on the Saudi side.
▪️ Amer Al-Ali on behalf of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the group currently governing Syria.

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the head of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and Syria’s de facto ruler, has complained about Saudi Arabia’s failure to fulfil its financial commitments, whether from Mohammed bin Salman’s government or from the private sector.

Saudi investors who visited Syria have reportedly retreated from earlier pledges to invest in the country.

A sense of hesitation and concern has spread among Saudi investors amid allegations of widespread corruption involving al-Jolani’s brothers, who are said to exert significant influence over key sectors of the economy and public finances. Maher, Hazem and Jamal are reported to control important economic and financial levers within the country.

An Anti-Corruption Message Aimed at Saudi Investors

The anti-corruption initiative follows an earlier attempt to attract investment linked to Saudi entertainment chief Turki Al Sheikh.

Al-Jolani had previously sent several signals to Turki Al Sheikh, seeking to entice him with what was described as the potential of the “Syrian entertainment and leisure market”. However, Al Sheikh reportedly showed little interest.

Believing that Al Sheikh required an official assurance regarding Syria’s openness to entertainment projects, al-Jolani organised a performance of the sexually themed song “Work It” by American singer Missy Elliott at a basketball arena in Damascus last April.

According to this account, Al Sheikh also ignored that gesture.