Decades of relations between the UAE and Syria resume


Haneen Dajani
  • English
  • Arabic

Almost exactly 12 years ago, Bashar Al Assad stood over the tomb of the UAE’s Founding Father at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Mr Al Assad said a prayer and wrote about Sheikh Zayed’s “great values of humanity, generosity and fraternity” in the mosque’s VIP visitor book.

A year later, President Sheikh Khalifa made an official two-day visit to the Syrian capital for talks with Mr Al Assad on relations between the countries and regional affairs.

They discussed opportunities for reciprocal investments. At the time, trade between the two countries was valued at about $254 million, and was only expected to increase.

It was Sheikh Khalifa’s second visit to the country after the death of Hafez Al Assad, the late president.

The following year, Mr Al Assad visited Abu Dhabi again, this time meeting Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The Syrian Ambassador to the UAE said the meeting underscored the warmth of relations between the two countries.

It was a sign of fast-developing relations and the potential for a strong partnership – but just three years later the political landscape across the Middle East would change as civil war broke out in Syria.

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Read more 

UAE reopens embassy in Damascus after six years 

Syrian embassy in Abu Dhabi operating despite GCC recall

Etihad Airways cancels flights to Damascus

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The UAE was among the countries to close their embassies in Damascus. As the crisis worsened and security deteriorated in Syria in August 2012, Etihad Airways suspended its three flights a day to Damascus.

Syrian Air continued to operate from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and Syrian consular services continued to operate in the UAE, indicating relations were not completely cut off.

The following year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, said the UAE was dedicated to support Syrians and their aspirations to return security and stability to their country.

But he made it clear that the Emirates did not support Mr Al Assad’s government.

Despite this, the UAE remained steadfast in its humanitarian support for the Syrian people. Since 2012, it has provided more than $530m in humanitarian aid and development assistance.

And in January 2015, the UAE pledged another $100m in support of Syrian refugees, of which about $44m has been distributed.

This year, the UAE’s political perspective on Syria began to change. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said it was no longer possible to stabilise the country with a military response.

“Our position on the Syrian crisis is very clear: a few years ago we had a choice, to support Bashar Assad or the opposition, which was joined by jihadists and even many terrorist elements, and we chose to be somewhere between,” Dr Gargash said.

“We confirm the need for a political solution in Syria.”

While many countries had previously stated that there would be no end to the Syrian conflict if Mr Al Assad remained in power, reopening the UAE embassy in Damascus on Thursday, with more countries expected to follow suit, shows that governments have accepted that the Assad regime is here to stay.

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

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F1 drivers' standings

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Rating: 2/5
 
India squad for fourth and fifth Tests

Kohli (c), Dhawan, Rahul, Shaw, Pujara, Rahane (vc), Karun, Karthik (wk), Pant (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Pandya, Ishant, Shami, Umesh, Bumrah, Thakur, Vihari