Despite aversion to Islamism, UAE slowly embraces change in Syria
Abu Dhabi is adjusting to the idea of a more Islamist governance in Syria as it cautiously navigates the new reality after Assad's fall and a growing influence for Turkey.
DUBAI — Even as it welcomed Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on Monday, the United Arab Emirates has ample reason to approach the transition in Syria with caution, given its aversion to political Islam and warm ties with the former Assad regime.
While Riyadh and Doha have in their own ways embraced the changes in Syria by sending aid — and in Qatar's case, opening a diplomatic mission — the UAE has preferred a wait-and-see approach.
The UAE's reticence is in part due to its long-standing aversion to political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood, which it classified as a terror group in 2014. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which took power in Syria after Assad’s fall on Dec. 8, is an Islamist group and a former al-Qaeda affiliate.
Just on Wednesday, the UAE added 11 individuals and eight UK-based entities to its terrorism list due to alleged connections with the Muslim Brotherhood.
