Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited the UAE, where he met with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders discussed cooperation and regional issues following Assad’s ousting. The UAE’s cautious support contrasts other Gulf nations’ welcoming stance towards Syria’s new leadership amidst ongoing Israeli military actions. Al-Sharaa’s government seeks to stabilize Syria after years of conflict.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa conducted his inaugural visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday. During this visit, the UAE’s President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed wishes for al-Sharaa’s success in leading Syria towards development, security, and stability, as reported by the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM). The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and exchanged perspectives on regional and international developments.
Following the fall of former President Bashar Assad amidst a rebel offensive, the UAE, having severed ties with Assad’s regime in 2011, has cautiously approached Syria’s new leadership. The country was notable for reopening its embassy in Damascus in December 2018, ahead of Assad’s visit to the UAE in 2022, marking his first trip to an Arab country since the onset of civil war.
Other Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have welcomed the new Syrian administration helmed by al-Sharaa, an Islamist former insurgent pivotal in ousting Assad. In contrast, the UAE has maintained a watchful stance regarding the new regime, rooted in its historical wariness of Islamist movements.
The authorities in Syria are concentrating on revitalizing the nation’s economy and infrastructure following nearly 14 years of conflict while striving to consolidate control over various armed factions. Concurrently, they face pressure from Israel, which has intensified airstrikes and occupied parts of a U.N.-regulated buffer zone in Syria since Assad’s ousting, citing border security.
Both Syrian officials and the U.N. have condemned Israel’s actions as breaches of the 1974 ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Israel maintains its stance on protecting its borders. The UAE, having established normalized relations with Israel, may potentially serve as a mediator in the ongoing tensions.
In summary, President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to the UAE symbolizes an interesting diplomatic shift following the fall of Bashar Assad. While the UAE remains cautiously supportive of Syria’s new leaders, it marks an attempt to establish a supportive relationship amidst regional tensions. The challenges of rebuilding Syria and addressing Israeli incursions demonstrate the complicated geopolitical landscape that the new Syrian administration must navigate.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
