Emirati President Mohammad bin Zayed welcomes Bashar al-Assad in Abu Dhabi. (File photo Hamad Aa-Kaabi/UAE Presidential Court/AFP)
In the wake of the capture of Aleppo by Syrian rebels on Nov. 30, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad quickly reached out to Emirati President Mohammad bin Zayed (MBZ). In their conversation, MBZ offered strong assurances of the Emirates' "solidarity" with Syria and pledged support in the fight against terrorism and extremism.This broad definition of "terrorism" was aimed at factions that are predominantly Islamist but also included groups like the Free Syrian Army, which retook Aleppo — Syria’s second-largest city — after it fell to regime forces in 2016.MBZ also emphasized the importance of a "peaceful resolution" that would address "the Syrian people's aspirations for stability," while preserving "the unity and sovereignty of Syria throughout its territory." Essentially, this stance highlights MBZ’s desire to keep Assad in power to...
In the wake of the capture of Aleppo by Syrian rebels on Nov. 30, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad quickly reached out to Emirati President Mohammad bin Zayed (MBZ). In their conversation, MBZ offered strong assurances of the Emirates' "solidarity" with Syria and pledged support in the fight against terrorism and extremism.This broad definition of "terrorism" was aimed at factions that are predominantly Islamist but also included groups like the Free Syrian Army, which retook Aleppo — Syria’s second-largest city — after it fell to regime forces in 2016.MBZ also emphasized the importance of a "peaceful resolution" that would address "the Syrian people's aspirations for stability," while preserving "the unity and sovereignty of Syria throughout its territory." Essentially, this stance highlights MBZ’s desire to keep Assad in power...
