Syria’s al-Sharaa calls Emirati counterpart after violent anti-Israel protest outside embassy in Damascus

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa called his Emirati counterpart earlier today to reassure him that Damascus wants to maintain good relations with the UAE, despite a violent protest outside its embassy.

Dozens of Syrians gathered on Friday in front of the embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Damascus. Some attempted to storm the building and online videos showed demonstrators tearing down the UAE flag.

The Syrian presidency now announces that al-Sharaa has since called UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to stress “the depth of the brotherly relations” between the two countries and promised to build on them.

According to participants, the protest had been organized to denounce Israel’s adoption of the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of carrying out deadly terror attacks.

Israel and the Emirates signed a peace treaty in 2020, under the guidance of US President Donald Trump.