Syria, UAE leaders discuss closer relations in rare call
ABC News
Syria’s state media says the United Arab Emirates' crown prince has received a rare telephone call from Syrian President Bashar Assad in which they discussed strengthening relations
DAMASCUS, Syria -- The United Arab Emirates’ crown prince received a rare telephone call from Syrian President Bashar Assad in which they discussed strengthening relations and cooperation, Syria’s state media reported Wednesday.
The call between Assad and UAE’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed came as some Arab countries are improving relations with Syria, a decade after the country’s civil war began.
Syrian government forces now control much of the country with the help of Assad’s strong allies Russia and Iran, who helped tip the balance of power in his favor. The conflict killed hundreds of thousands and displaced half of Syria’s population, including 5 million refugees outside the country.
The UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in December 2018 but relations remained cold since then.
