Syria remains a significant country for the UAE in its continued efforts to diversify its economy. It is one of the largest Middle Eastern markets for Emirati companies, particularly in the oil sector, and has provided an important source of labour for the country. In contrast to other GCC states that have withdrawn their diplomatic support from Syria, the UAE under its current leadership has attempted to leverage its economic interests as a means to influence Syrian policy. The UAE’s economic interests appear to be a bridge between their geopolitical stance and domestic opinion, with 35% of Emiratis indicating that they are more supportive of Syria because it represents opportunities for business partnerships. This article analyzes the geopolitics and economics behind the UAE-Syria relationship.
Geopolitical Background
The UAE’s relationship with Syria has historically been one of mutual cooperation, particularly in the areas of military cooperation and economic development. The two countries have maintained close ties since the UAE became independent in 1971, with the two Arab states sharing a common interest in mitigating the threat of regional instability and Iranian intervention in the Middle East. The UAE has historically been a significant source of political and economic support for the Syrian government. Among other things, it has provided millions in loans to Syrian businesses, hosted millions of refugees fleeing the country, and provided a safe harbour for Syrian opposition groups while they planned the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The UAE has taken a strong stance against Iran’s growing influence in the Middle East, which has gained momentum in recent years due to lifting sanctions on Iranian oil in 2016. The UAE government has threatened retaliation against any party that uses Iranian-owned ports for shipping, as part of its strategy to contain the Iranian influence in the region.
UAE and Syria: A History of Cooperation
As a close ally of Saudi Arabia, the UAE has been one of the strongest regional advocates for increased military action to overthrow the Syrian regime. The UAE has played a significant role in supporting Syrian opposition forces with military aid and financial assistance, including the training of Syrian fighters via its special forces. The UAE has been one of the largest donors to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, providing over $750 million in humanitarian support since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. In addition to hosting millions of refugees, the UAE has provided millions of dollars in loans and grants to the Syrian government, demonstrating a commitment to assisting the Syrian people while maintaining solidarity with the Assad regime. The UAE was seen as a reliable source of support for the Syrian government, which has historically relied on a small number of Arab allies, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The UAE has represented a disproportionately large share of Syrian-Emirati trade compared to other countries, with $1.5 billion in exports and $2.2 billion in imports in 2004.
Economic Ties Shared between UAE and Syria
The UAE and Syria also share important economic interests, particularly in the oil sector. The UAE has been one of the largest sources of oil imports for Syria throughout the Syrian conflict, with the volume of exports from the UAE exceeding 200,000 barrels per day in 2018. Beyond the oil sector, the UAE has also played a significant role in developing Syria’s infrastructure. Abu Dhabi’s state-owned investment company has invested billions of dollars in the modernization of Syrian airports, seaports, and other important transportation systems. The UAE has also provided significant funding to the construction of the country’s internet network, as well as telecommunications infrastructure. These investments suggest that the UAE has a strategic interest in maintaining close economic ties with Syria, as they make it easier for Emirati companies to export goods to Syrian markets and provide a stable source of revenue for the Syrian government. Beyond economic ties, the UAE has also played a prominent role in the humanitarian crisis in Syria, providing millions in loans and grants to the government and millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.
UAE’s Interest in a Stable Syria
The UAE’s economic interests in Syria are tempered by its geopolitical interests in a stable Syria, particularly in the context of the conflict with Iran. The UAE is one of the GCC countries most threatened by Iranian influence, as it is geographically closer to Iranian territory than the other GCC states. As such, the UAE views the Iranian influence in Syria as a direct threat to its security, with the potential to facilitate terrorist attacks and other destabilizing activities in Abu Dhabi. While the UAE has opposed Iranian influence in Syria and the rest of the Middle East, the country has also sought to prevent the escalation of regional conflict. The UAE has been one of the strongest proponents of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria, which has been complicated by the presence of numerous international actors, including Russia, Israel, Turkey, and the United States. The UAE has advocated for the inclusion of Syrian opposition groups in peace talks facilitated by the United Nations and has pressured the Assad government to participate in the Geneva talks and initiate political reforms. The UAE has also pushed for the implementation of a no-fly zone in Syria, which would serve to limit the ability of the Assad regime and its allies to engage in aerial attacks.
Conclusion
The UAE’s relationship with Syria has historically been one of mutual cooperation, particularly in the areas of military cooperation and economic development. The two countries have maintained close ties since the UAE became independent in 1971, with the two Arab states sharing a common interest in mitigating the threat of regional instability and Iranian intervention in the Middle East. The UAE has historically been a significant source of political and economic support for the Syrian government. Among other things, it has provided millions in loans to Syrian businesses, hosted millions of refugees fleeing the country, and provided a safe harbour for Syrian opposition groups while they planned the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The UAE has taken a strong stance against Iran’s growing influence in the Middle East, which has gained momentum in recent years due to the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil in 2016. The UAE government has threatened retaliation against any party that uses Iranian-owned ports for shipping, as part of its strategy to contain the Iranian influence in the region. Beyond its geopolitical stance, the UAE has also attempted to use its economic interests in Syria as a means to influence the Assad regime. The UAE’s economic interests in Syria seem to be a bridge between its geopolitical interests and domestic opinion, with 35% of Emiratis indicating that they are more supportive of Syria because it represents opportunities for business partnerships.
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