Overview

• Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi during his second visit to the Gulf state since taking office.
• Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani joined the visit, with discussions expected to focus on strengthening ties and addressing mutual interests.
• The trip is part of Syria's broader diplomatic campaign to re-establish relationships with Arab and Western nations after Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December 2024.
• Syria's new leadership faces challenges, including economic recovery, sanctions relief, and concerns over extremism and regional security dynamics.
• The UAE's historical opposition to Islamist groups underscores the complexity of this engagement, as Damascus seeks to assure partners of its commitment to an inclusive political transition.