The United Arab Emirates has warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to refrain from intervening in the Israel-Hamas war or allowing attacks on Israel from Syrian soil.
Axios first reported the news, citing two UAE sources briefed on the matter.
Foreign leaders outside Israel worry the war could spill over into neighboring Lebanon or escalate into a regional conflict, the news agency said.
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Israeli forces are setting up heavily armed checkpoints along the border as Israel ramps up military, police and other security forces following the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in Sderot, Israel over the weekend. (Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Officials from the United Arab Emirates sent their messages to high-ranking Syrian officials and informed the Biden administration of their communication with the Syrians, according to the two sources. Following the attacks on Israel by Hamas, the UAE Foreign Ministry condemned the fighting.
“Civilians on both sides must always be fully protected under international humanitarian law and must never be the target of conflict,” the ministry said.
The UAE in 2020 became the first Gulf nation to normalize relations with Israel.
Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, speaks with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in March. The United Arab Emirates has reportedly warned the Syrian leader to stay out of the war between Israel and Hamas. (The Syrian Presidency via AP)
Syria is still embroiled in civil war. Most of southern Syria is controlled by al-Assad’s government, which has seen support from Russia and Iran.
On Monday, leaders from the United States, Germany, Britain, France and Italy issued a joint statement condemning attacks on Israel by Hamas.
“Over the past few days, the world has watched in horror as Hamas terrorists massacred families in their homes, massacred over 200 young people enjoying a music festival, and kidnapped elderly women, children and entire families, who are now being held hostage.” said the statement by President Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
PROGRESSIVE MUNICIPALITY OVERWHELMED ‘STUNNING AND REPEAL’ RESPONSE TO HAMAS ATTACK IN ISRAEL AFTER ‘WATCH’ REMARKS
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrives in Jeddah, to attend the Arab League summit the next day, Saudi Arabia, May 18, 2023. SANA/Handout via Reuters
“In the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies and mutual friends of Israel, to ensure that Israel is able to defend itself and ultimately set the stage for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region. East,” the statement said.
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Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes following attacks in which Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel and killed and kidnapped civilians and some military personnel.
In addition, Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed terrorist group in Lebanon, has fired rockets at Israel.
