Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Visit UAE, Turkey in Diplomatic Push
DAMASCUS – Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa will travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey next week, marking his first official visits to both countries since assuming office in January, the Syrian foreign ministry announced Sunday.
Key Details of the Visits:
- The trips are part of Syria’s post-Assad diplomatic outreach, following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2023 after a swift offensive by Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham faction.
- Sharaa previously visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey in February, signaling efforts to normalize ties with Gulf nations and secure regional support.
- The UAE visit will be his second engagement with a Gulf state, highlighting Syria’s push to reintegrate into the Arab diplomatic sphere.
Syria’s Broader Diplomatic Goals:
- Sanctions Relief: Damascus is urging the US, UK, and EU to lift crippling sanctions imposed over the past 14 years, which have stifled trade, banking, and reconstruction.
- UN Human Rights Council Resolution: Syria recently won international praise at the UNHRC after a resolution was passed to investigate wartime atrocities (2011-2024), including disappearances, torture, and chemical weapons use.
- Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani called the resolution a step toward a “new page”, while Syria’s UN envoy termed it a “strong incentive” for reforms.
Challenges Ahead:
- Accountability Pressure: British Ambassador Simon Manley highlighted recent killings of Alawite civilians (Assad’s sect) as a reminder of unresolved war crimes.
- Economic Crisis: Syria’s economy remains in ruins, with 100,000+ missing and infrastructure devastated after 13 years of conflict.
- Assad’s Shadow: Though ousted, Assad’s legacy complicates Syria’s bid for global legitimacy and reconstruction aid.
Why It Matters:
Sharaa’s visits to Turkey and the UAE signal Syria’s attempt to balance ties between Arab states and regional powers while lobbying for sanctions relief and investment. However, accountability for wartime abuses and economic recovery remain steep hurdles.
Next Steps:
- The UAE and Turkey could play pivotal roles in mediating Syria’s reintegration into the international community.
- Western nations remain wary, demanding concrete reforms before easing sanctions.
Background:
- Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia in December 2023 after his government collapsed.
- The Syrian conflict has killed over 500,000 and displaced 12 million since 2011.
- Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, once an Al-Qaeda affiliate, now leads Syria’s transitional government.
