Abu Dhabi, 20 March 2023 (TDI): Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad met with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The aim of this visit is to ease the isolation of Damascus.

The visit was important because this marked the first visit of an Arab State to the UAE since the Syrian Civil War of 2022, when the Gulf states, including the UAE, helped and supported the rebellion fighting to overthrow the regime of Assad.

According to the UAE media, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, and received a canon salute, as his convoy entered the royal palace, also Assad’s plane was greeted by Emirati fighter jets.

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Both sides have made a constructive discourse on advancing bilateralism and cooperation for greater stability and progress, particularly in Syria and the region.

The wife of the Syrian President also accompanied him on this official visit and will meet with Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, who is the Emirati president’s mother and regarded in the UAE as the “Mother of the Nation”.

Shift in Diplomatic Alignments

This is a significant shift in diplomatic alignments as UAE is willing to revive its ties with the Assad regime. The UAE also visited Oman, Syria, Turkiye, and Russia for diplomatic revival with these states.

This is happening when Iran and Saudi Arabia decided to restore their diplomatic relations. These diplomatic shifts would change the landscape of Middle Eastern politics in a more progressive manner.

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