Arrr! UAE be pickin' its first ambassador to Syria in 13 long years, mateys! Hoist the sail!
2024-01-30
Arrr, Ambassador Hassan Ahmad al-Shihi be settin' sail on Tuesday, takin' his post as the United Arab Emirates' first ambassador to Syria in near 13 years! Avast, me hearties, let the parley begin!
The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to Damascus in nearly 13 years has taken up his post as Syria reintegrates into mainstream regional acceptance. Syrian state media reported that Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad received Ambassador Hassan Ahmad al-Shihi's credentials. The UAE embassy was reopened in Syria in late 2018, and a charge d'affaires has been in charge of the diplomatic mission since then.Al-Shihi arrived in Damascus on Monday, and his arrival coincides with Syria's severe economic crisis due to the conflict that has killed half a million people and left large parts of the country destroyed. The reconciliation between Damascus and oil-rich Arab countries is not expected to lead to a flow of money into Syria due to Western sanctions and widespread corruption.
In March 2022, Syrian President Bashar Assad visited the UAE, marking the first time an Arab country received him since the civil war erupted. The UAE has also provided aid to Syria following the earthquake in February 2023. In May, the Arab League agreed to reinstate Syria, taking another step toward bringing Assad back into the fold.
The UAE, previously a supporter of the Syrian opposition, recalled its ambassador from Syria in 2011 after the start of the popular uprising against Assad. However, the Syrian Embassy in the UAE remained open. Last month, Syria appointed a new ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
Despite the diplomatic developments, Syria's economic crisis continues to worsen. The value of the Syrian pound has dramatically decreased, and 90% of Syrians in government-held areas live in poverty. The World Food Program will also end its main assistance program in Syria in January, potentially exacerbating the already dire situation.