1. Summary: President Assad of Syria visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this past week in an effort to rehabilitate his image and bring his country in line with other Arab world leaders. For many, this was a surpriseing shift and raised a variety of questions, yet for others, it was an expected move, especially if Assad wants to retain political control of his country and bring his country into “A new Middle East that is being created” with his neighbors who do seem determined to “neutralize Iran”. JaFaJ sources have confirmed that Russia was behind Assad’s change of position on Iran and is encouraging him to coordinate with the UAE. Assad is reported to have taken Russia’s “friendly advice” by agreeing to cooperate thoroughly with UAE and her friends, some indirectly like Israel, in their efforts to neutralize Iran and limit her influence in the Middle East region.
2. On March 18th, Syria’s President Assad took the world by surprise when his plane touched down in the UAE. It was Assad’s first visit to an Arab country since the launch of the Syrian revolution in 2011. According to JaFaJ sources in a major Arabian Gulf state, the pro-Iran Assad was visiting a country known for its rivalry with Iran. The UAE is co-leading the Arab Sunni camp with its political partner, Saudi Arabia. During the visit, Assad was welcomed generously by the UAE’s host: Crown Prince of UAE Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. During his trip, Assad also met with the UAE’s Vice President and the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.
3. Assad’s visit was met with endless speculation in the Arab media and political circles, with conspiracy theories being brought to light on social media. The visit has also brought about accusations against the UAE of “having sold out to Assad”, and “abandoning the Syrian people”.
4. Surprisingly, one of UAE’s neighbours and adversaries – the Qatar’s media – has been mildly engaged in reporting on the visit. Historically Qatar, and her vast media apparatus, would not miss an opportunity to attack the UAE and their actions. Strangely, most Arab countries were rather quiet about the entire visit, and this alone has raised a lot of eyebrows. The “pro-resistance” camp, the Iran-led regional alliance, was surprisingly silent and provided no criticism of Assad, again, not even on social media.
5. By all accounts, Assad’s visit secures an increased level of legitimacy for him, something Assad clearly needs. Simply put, Assad was graciously welcomed by a leading Arab country, and one of the world’s most influential Arab leaders, Mohammed Ben Zayed. This much needed and impressive recognition came with some strings in the form of concessions by Assad. One of the strings stems from the so-called “resistance camp”, consisting of Iran, Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, Iran, and Assad himself. Combined, they have been demonizing the UAE as “traitors” and have paraded them for a decade as “agents of the West”. The attack on UAE became staunch after they joined the Abrahamic Accords and signed a peace agreement with Israel. For Assad, just being seen with leaders that his camp calls “traitors”, is a huge concession – a concession that amounts to a shy, yet significant, endorsement of the Abrahamic Peace Accord signed between Israel, the UAE, Sudan, Bahrain, and Morocco.
Assad’s Real Reason for the Visit
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6. The real reason for Assad’s visit was reported to us by a very senior Arab UAE source. The source has confirmed that “Assad was here to discuss his role and spot in the new Middle East”. He went on to explain that “We’re looking at the creation of a new Middle East, a Middle East with new allegiances, economics and future”. The source added that “Iran has enjoyed incredible support from the Europeans and several American administrations, but this will no longer be a regional problem because Iran will be neutralized by either diplomacy or by force”. The source added that “Assad is not stupid – he understands power and what is unfolding and wants to be part of it”. The source added that his Russian allies have already told him of the changes to come, and as such, Assad is seeking a “future home” rather than lose control of his regime.
7. A well positioned western intelligence source told JaFaJ that, “In order to grasp the scope of Assad’s visit here, you have to realize that he came here because he knows that his second most important ally – Iran – will be attacked very soon by a combined military and political alliance of regional actors, including Israel and several Arab countries”. The source continued by saying that “Assad also realizes that his number one ally, Russia, has pretty much given up on the Syrian war and he wants a place at the table. Russia’s advice to him was that he must play ball or else”.
8. Another Western source in the UAE has reported that a major strike will take place against Iran in the near future, and that the strike is aimed at “annihilating Iran’s nuclear capacity and neutralizing its influence on the Middle East”. [COMMNET: See JaFaJ intelligence report dated 22 March 2022, https://www.jafaj.net/israel-will-bomb-iran-guaranteed/ END COMMENT].
9.The source explained, “Assad went to UAE to get the answer to one question: What does he need to do to remain in power and to be excluded from future Israeli-Arab military action against Iran?”
Why Did the UAE Welcome Assad?
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10. The source added that “The Russians have made it clear to him, that either he joins the anti-Iran camp, or he disappears”. Joining the anti-Iran camp won’t be that easy, “Assad will have to provide a few things to the anti-Iran effort, and he went to UAE to see what their demand list was”.
11. An American source who serves as an adviser to a key Arab gulf government met recently with an Arab head of state who reported that “Assad was given a list of conditions by the UAE in exchange for his rehabilitation as a valid and legitimate Arab ruler who’s accepted by the rest of the Arab world”. The American added that “The list includes assisting: Israel and the Russians in eradicating Iran’s presence in Syria, not challenging aerial operations against Iran that will be carried out by Israeli jets or jets operated by Arab countries, sharing intelligence (old and new), with the UAE and not challenging the UAE’s decisions to share with third parties, including Israel. Finally, Assad must allow an unlimited number of Arab and Western special forces to enter Syria from the Jordanian borders, and that they will be allowed to engage in special operations against terrorists as well as Iranian and Hezbollah installations and personnel.
12. JaFaJ sources have confirmed that Assad has agreed to all of the UAE’s wish list. A Jordanian intelligence officer reported to JaFaJ, “He [Assad] has no other choice. His Russian masters want Iran out of Syria, and he has to cooperate with UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel, either directly or indirectly.”
Conclusion
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13. Syria’s Assad is in trouble and looking for a way out and back into the good graces of his neighbours. To do so, he must make adjustments and take a new role for himself where he may fit in the upcoming regional order in which Iran will be challenged and Israel will become more accepted by most Arab states. Just as importantly, his actions will bring him in line with the future of the Middle East, a future that sees Iran as the enemy and Israel as a friendly neighbour. At the same time, Assad’s rehabilitation is all a part of a regional policy involving Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel aimed at neutralizing Iran at any cost.