Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made his first visit to the United Arab Emirates since 2022 yesterday to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit comes after Syria and Turkey were hit by a devastating earthquake, with the death toll rising above 50,000. Following an extravagant welcoming ceremony for President Assad, official talks later took place at the presidential palace, with a statement by President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan confirming discussions to develop relations between the two nations for the purpose of "accelerating stability and progress in Syria and the region." This meeting marks continuous efforts of cooperation between Syria and other Arab nations, following Syria hosting a delegation of Arab parliamentarians in Damascus, including heads of Emirati, Iraqi, Egyptian, Libyan, Jordanian, and Palestinian houses of representatives, further confirming Syria's slow reintroduction into the Arab world.

Following a long period of Syrian isolation from Arab nations, the UAE decided to normalize relations with Syria in 2018, and their continued cooperation with the Assad government has been cemented through their pledge to earthquake relief efforts. For the UAE, the increased efforts to work with Syria have signaled a change from their previous attempts to weaken the government through the support of Syrian rebels in order to limit Iran's influence in the Middle East. Now it seems the UAE believes that bringing Syria back into the Arab world to cooperate with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will grant them greater influence over Assad, with the aim of weakening Iran's influence in the Levant. Emirati powers in Abu Dhabi have already put their ability to influence Assad into practice by persuading him to allow international earthquake aid into Syrian rebel-controlled areas. The UAE still lacks the level of influence over the Assad regime that Russia and Iran possess. However, as the UAE also plans to bolster its reputation as a regional middle power, engagement with Assad continues to lead them in the right direction. Professor Andreas Kreig reiterates that "for Abu Dhabi, Syria is a network-building asset." The UAE's willingness to cooperate with Assad will signal other Arab nations to follow suit, representative of their ability to influence the Middle Eastern region as a middle power. Coupled with Assad's invitation to Abu Dhabi, along with hosting Arab representatives, it is symbolic of the warming relations between Syria and leaders of the Arab region. The events resulting from the earthquake have made it easier for the UAE to express their sympathy and foster relations and cooperation with Syria to achieve their strategic goals.