On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reached out to regional leaders to convey his greetings. Sheikh Mohamed spoke with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani over separate phone calls on April 12th.
The conversations centered on exchanging warm wishes for the Eid holiday. The leaders also reportedly discussed matters pertaining to bilateral relations between their respective countries and developments in the wider region. The UAE has been actively engaged in fostering dialogue and cooperation with regional actors.
Sheikh Mohamed's outreach to both Syria and Iraq comes amidst a backdrop of complex political landscapes in both countries. The Syrian civil war, while witnessing a relative lull in fighting in recent years, has yet to be fully resolved. Iraq, on the other hand, is navigating a political transition following the recent appointment of a new Prime Minister.
The UAE has played a role in reconstruction efforts in some parts of Syria. There have also been indications of a potential thaw in relations between the UAE and Syria. In Iraq, the UAE has maintained diplomatic ties and provided humanitarian assistance in the past. Sheikh Mohamed's conversations with the leaders of both nations could be seen as a signal of the UAE's intent to further strengthen ties and explore areas of potential cooperation.
The specific details of the discussions between Sheikh Mohamed and the Syrian and Iraqi leaders were not made public. However, the phone calls themselves hold significance as they come at a time when the UAE appears to be taking a more proactive approach to regional diplomacy. The UAE has traditionally maintained close relations with some Arab states in the region, but these latest developments suggest a broader engagement strategy.