Syria's Al-Sharaa holds talks with UAE leader in Abu Dhabi

Syria's interim president Ahmed Al-Sharaa held talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed on Sunday in his first official trip to the UAE since taking office, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA.

Al-Sharaa was received at the airport by Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, ahead of closed-door discussions in Abu Dhabi.

Neither side has released an official readout or provided further details on the meeting, though SANA reported that the visit was aimed at addressing "issues of common interest".

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, who accompanied Al-Sharaa on the trip, posted a photo of the delegation’s arrival in the UAE.

"We seek to strengthen ties and cooperation with our brothers in the interests of both our peoples," he wrote on X.

This marks Al-Sharaa’s second diplomatic trip to the Gulf since taking office in January, after his Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted the Assad regime in December.

His first official visit was to Saudi Arabia in February. Shaibani also travelled to the UAE earlier this year for preliminary discussions.

The UAE has historically positioned itself as a firm opponent of Islamist political movements in the region.

Although it initially supported elements of Syria’s opposition during the early years of the war, Abu Dhabi later aligned with the Assad government over concerns that Sunni Islamist factions could gain control in Damascus.

Despite these long-standing tensions, the UAE has signalled cautious support for the new Syrian leadership in recent months. It reportedly provided backing to Syrian security forces during sectarian unrest in March, which followed Al-Sharaa’s rise to power.

Since assuming office, Al-Sharaa’s administration has sought to mend ties with regional powers and rebuild international relationships in a bid to revive Syria’s shattered economy and push for the lifting of Western sanctions, which have severely hampered reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.