DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The new interim foreign minister of Syria, Asaad al-Shibani, addressed the ongoing complexities of Syria’s relations with Iran and Russia, highlighting them as a significant concern for the Syrian populace. This commentary emerged during the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where al-Shibani acknowledged some “positive” developments from both countries, though he refrained from providing specific details.
Al-Shibani emphasized the new Syrian government’s ambition to enhance diplomatic relations with Western nations and alleviate sanctions that have hampered the country’s ability to recover from the devastating impacts of a 14-year civil war. He asserted that Syria has regained its “freedom and dignity,” positioning this as a transformative moment for peace and stability within the nation.
His presence at the summit and the speech he delivered were notable, illustrating the efforts of the former rebels who took control of Damascus in December to foster new international alliances. Qatar and Turkey, former adversaries of the UAE due to their support for different factions, had previously cultivated closer relations with the rebels.
In a significant move toward restoring ties, the UAE reopened its embassy in Syria in late 2018, which marked a thaw in diplomatic relations. Following this, Assad visited the UAE in 2022 as Abu Dhabi advocated for his reintegration into the Arab community, despite the ongoing revelations of violence perpetrated by his regime during the conflict. During the immediate aftermath of Assad’s removal, prominent UAE officials declined to comment on Assad’s status, leading to his eventual refuge in Russia, where he has historically held a supportive relationship with President Vladimir Putin.
Al-Shibani’s foremost concern centers on the sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, which he claimed are damaging to Syria’s reconstruction efforts. Current estimates suggest a staggering $250 billion is required to rebuild Syria, a country now facing a 90% poverty rate and a GDP that has plummeted to less than half of what it was prior to the war, according to data from the EU. He pointed out that “the Syrian regime faced these sanctions due to its oppression,” and noted it is sensible to consider their removal.
Relatively new to international diplomacy, al-Shibani is originally from al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria and participated in 2011 protests against Assad, as part of the wider Arab Spring movement. Throughout the war, he adopted various aliases and was part of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which had ties to al-Qaida, particularly active in the Idlib region. His appointment as interim foreign minister followed the rapid advancements made by rebel forces, marking the end of more than five decades of Assad family rule, with a full governmental transition scheduled for March 1.
Despite these developments, al-Shibani acknowledged that ties with both Russia and Iran remain strained. Even as al-Sharaa, the interim president, engaged in his first conversation with Putin recently, the essential military and strategic interests for both Moscow and Tehran in Syria complicate this relationship. Russia aims to preserve its military bases along the Mediterranean, while Iran continues to leverage Syria as a conduit to support groups like Hezbollah and its broader regional agenda.
Al-Shibani voiced the deep emotional scars left on the Syrian people due to actions by Russia and Iran, expressing that, to mend these relationships, the sentiment of the Syrian populace needs to be addressed and prioritized. He remarked, “Syrian people have wounds and pain that they suffered at the hands of these two countries.” He added, “In order to restore the relationship, the Syrian people must feel comfortable with this relationship.”
