Post-Regime Collapse: UAE Mediates Safe Exit for Bashar al-Assad
International media reports have revealed that the UAE facilitated a safe passage for Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria, from Damascus after the collapse of his regime due to the advancing opposition forces.
Bloomberg reported that in the final days of his rule, Assad attempted to propose various offers and initiatives in an effort to retain power as opposition forces closed in on the capital.
The agency detailed that Abu Dhabi relayed an offer from Assad to the United States, proposing that Syria sever its connections with Iran-backed groups if Western powers intervened to halt the fighting.
According to the report, Assad signaled his willingness to negotiate an agreement that would allow him to maintain control over the territories still held by his army or secure a safe exit if necessary. This offer ultimately came to fruition through Emirati mediation, which ensured his safe passage into exile.
The Syrian armed opposition declared early yesterday morning, Sunday, that the Assad regime had fallen, marking the entry of opposition forces into the capital, Damascus. This milestone followed a series of rapid victories in recent days, including in Aleppo, Hama, and Homs.
In recent years, the UAE has spearheaded an Arab and international political movement aimed at normalizing relations with the Assad regime and easing its global isolation.
The UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus on December 27, 2018, and since then, Assad and Syrian government delegations have visited the UAE on several occasions.
Despite misjudging the regime’s ability to survive and betting on its continuation, Abu Dhabi has moved to publicly blame the Syrian regime for its current downfall.
Anwar Gargash, advisor to the UAE president, stated that the recent and rapid developments in Syria clearly reflect the political failure of the Assad regime.
He argued that one of the main reasons for the regime’s swift collapse was its political failure, emphasizing that “Bashar al-Assad did not seize the ‘lifeline’ offered by various Arab countries, including the UAE.”
Gargash added, “The future leadership of Syria should be determined by Syrians themselves, and we all hope that the cycle of chaos and violence in Syria will end.”
He also pointed out that “Abu Dhabi’s policy towards Syria from the start was focused on supporting development. Back in 2011, the regime asked us for help to address urgent needs, but it chose to resolve issues internally through dialogue.”
He concluded, “Assad failed to use the opportunities presented to him by many Arab countries, including the UAE. He did not embrace the advice, discussions, or dialogue, nor did he seek reconciliation with Turkey, as we recommended. This political failure led to the collapse of his regime.”
