Government
23 February 2023, 5:27 pm. 1 minute
Reuters was first to reveal that President Bashar al-Assad ceded to calls for additional aid access to Syria after prodding from the UAE. This is a diplomatic win for the Gulf state, which has rebuilt ties with Damascus despite U.S. disapproval. Assad’s decision to approve wider aid access for U.N. convoys into the northwest from Turkey marked a shift from his long-standing opposition to cross-border aid flows into the area, which is controlled by his insurgent enemies and where 4 million people were already dependent on aid.
Market Impact
The UAE’s role in persuading Assad, described by four sources in the region, suggests it has started to carve out a degree of sway in Damascus, even if Russia and Shi’ite Iran remain the dominant foreign players there.
Article Tags
Topics of Interest: Government
Type: Reuters Best
Sectors: Government & Public Services
Regions: Middle East
Countries: SyriaTurkeyUAE
Win Types: Exclusivity
Story Types: Exclusive / Scoop
Media Types: Text
Customer Impact: Major Global Story
