UAE’s Role in Moderating Syria’s Position on the Gaza War

International observers stated that the UAE has played a key role in moderating Syria’s position on the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza, as well as in addressing the ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East.
Since the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018, high-ranking Emirati and Syrian officials have continuously worked to enhance the standing of Bashar al-Assad’s government in the Arab world, as reported by “Amwaj Media.”
The site noted in an analysis by Giorgio Cafiero that Assad’s visit to Abu Dhabi in March 2023 represented a pivotal moment in his gradual acceptance as a “legitimate” head of state among Sunni Arab leaders.
He emphasized that Abu Dhabi’s leaders have various interests in bringing Assad back into the Arab fold, arguing that it is not advantageous for Arab nations to avoid interaction with Damascus, an ally of Iran and Russia.
He noted that Abu Dhabi is aiming to establish influence in Syria, which requires engaging in dialogue with the Assad regime. While Western sanctions currently prevent Gulf countries from benefiting economically in Syria, Abu Dhabi hopes to capitalize on opportunities related to the country’s reconstruction and development in the future.
In a wider geopolitical context, taking into account the competition between major powers, the UAE is keen to prevent the Arab world from becoming a victim of the rivalry between China and the United States. Thus, the prevailing view in Abu Dhabi is that it is essential to minimize divisions among Arab nations from this standpoint, according to the author.
Former Syrian diplomat Bassam Barabandi asserted that “the U.S.-China rivalry is set to intensify in the near future. There needs to be a basic level of cooperation among Arabs to avoid bearing the costs of this conflict. Consequently, practical solutions to the issues and crises—according to the UAE’s viewpoint—should be pursued in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq.”
On October 9, 2023—two days after the beginning of the Israeli assault on Gaza—Emirati officials encouraged Assad to keep Syria out of the conflict, as reported by the site.
There is no doubt that the internal issues in Syria, after 13 years of civil war, contribute to understanding its choice to avoid military confrontation with the Israeli occupation. Damascus recognizes the potential damage that Tel Aviv could cause to Syria. Furthermore, the Russians might also be playing a role in encouraging Syria to maintain a predominantly neutral position on the Gaza conflict.
Additionally, there is no affection between Damascus and Hamas, as the Palestinian group took an anti-Assad position early in the Syrian revolution, which began in 2011. The UAE’s influence may also have contributed to this situation.
Christian Kots Ulrichsen, a fellow at the Baker Institute for Middle East Studies at Rice University, remarked, “It is probable that Emirati outreach contributed to Syria’s decision to refrain from direct involvement in the Gaza war, particularly in the days right after October 7, when Hamas seemed taken aback by the unwillingness of other members of the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance’ to engage.”

Cornelius, the former Italian ambassador to Iraq, believes that “it is reasonable to consider that Syria’s disregard for the conflict in Gaza may be the result of moral persuasion from the UAE.”
Additionally, Lund told Amwaj Media that the Emirati intervention “may have helped” to restrain Damascus’s stance on the Gaza war.
Author Aaron Lund noted that “Emirati envoys can also carry messages and reassurances that facilitate mediation of red lines and informal agreements, thereby making the conflict more predictable and manageable.”
However, he believes that Damascus might have chosen to stay away from any direct confrontation with Tel Aviv regardless of any Emirati intervention.
In reality, it seems that Abu Dhabi is approaching Damascus in a way that showcases the pragmatic leadership and patience of the UAE. In the near term, the UAE can take comfort in knowing that its efforts to support the Syrian government have effectively removed any incentive for Assad to seek conflict.
However, the Gulf Arab state is primarily concentrating on the potential outcomes of its relationship with Syria after many years, if not decades.
As the UAE increasingly positions itself as a key player in the geo-economic landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean—solidifying its role as a rising global trade hub with airports, ports, and other infrastructure linking economies around the world—Syria could ultimately provide significant opportunities for the ambitious UAE.
Cornelius asserted that “the UAE’s investment in revitalizing its relationship with Syria is not just a forward-thinking choice but, fundamentally, a long-term investment, especially regarding reconstruction. This becomes even more significant in light of the increasing economic activity linked to the development of new economic corridors in the region, particularly the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).”
He added, “In such situations, having multiple alternatives is a mark of wisdom, and one could argue that depending solely on Israeli infrastructure for the IMEC corridor isn’t a prudent choice.”