The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reopened its embassy in Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Thursday, for the first time in back seven years, to mark a diplomatic boost for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and some of his Arabian foes amid military victory in wars.
UAE’s charge d’affaires Abdul-Hakim Naimi on Thursday, visited the embassy, witnessed UAE’s flag raising again in central Damascus.
According to news reports, the UAE said the move focused to stabilize ties and also to curb the risks of a regional interference in “Arab, Syrian affairs” – a reference to non-Arab Iran.
The move has provided a major boost to Assad, who military have yet won series of victories in recent years with help from Iran and Russia. Sudanese President Omar Bashir visit to Damascus was a first visit of Arab head of state in Syria since the beginning of civil war.
UAE minister of state for foreign affairs Anwar Gargash said: “The UAE decision … came after a conviction that the next stage requires the Arab presence and communication in the Syrian file.”
Re-opening of UAE embassy in Syria’s capital Damascus was a step towards the rehabilitation on Syria by its Arab fellows.
Ex-United States ambassador to Syria in 2011, Robert Ford said: “I think they are hoping that over time that by financial and diplomatic re-engagement with Damascus, they can reduce Iranian influence.”
In an official statement, UAE’s foreign minister said: “The step confirms that the UAE government is keen to restore relations between the two brotherly countries back to normal.”
He added the move was “to activate the Arab role in supporting Syria’s independence, sovereignty, unity and safety and prevent the dangers of regional intervention in Syria’s Arab affairs”.
UAE has recalled its ambassador in 2011 from Syria amid uprising against Assad. Though the Syrian embassy in the UAE remained open.
In 2011, Syria was evicted from 22-member Arab League. However, Arab countries had also sanctioned Damascus and criticized its use of military forces against the opposition.