UAE condemns pro-Palestine protests targeting its embassy in Syria

Pro-Palestine protests in Damascus have spilled over into anger directed at the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with demonstrators targeting its embassy over the country’s support for Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Dozens gathered outside the UAE embassy on Friday, some chanting "the Zionist embassy", according to a Reuters witness.

The protest formed part of wider demonstrations across Syria in response to Israeli policies towards Palestinians, which have fuelled outrage across the region.

On Monday Israel’s apartheid legal system approved a new Israeli law allowing the execution of prisoners - a law which would not apply to Jews.

A Syrian security official told Reuters some protesters broke away from a larger rally in Umayyad Square and attempted to storm the compound. "Internal security forces prevented them from doing so and dealt with the situation," the official said.

The UAE, which normalised ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, has faced condemnation across the Arab and Muslim world for its growing alliance with the country.

A prominent Saudi academic in January accused the UAE of throwing itself "into the arms of Zionism" and functioning as "Israel's Trojan horse in the Arab world" in order to weaken Riyadh and emerge as a dominant regional power.

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In a statement issued on Saturday, the UAE condemned what it claimed were "riots, acts of vandalism, and assaults" outside its embassy and the residence of its head of mission.

The foreign ministry called on Syrian authorities to fulfil their obligations to protect diplomatic missions, investigate the incident, and hold those responsible accountable.

Syria’s foreign ministry did not directly address the protest but reiterated its "firm and unwavering stance" against any attempts to target embassies.

The unrest also follows separate protests linked to the detention of Syrian figure Issam Bouidani in the UAE. According to Syrian state media, demonstrators had earlier gathered outside the embassy demanding his release.

Bouidani, a former leader of Jaish al-Islam, was detained at Dubai International Airport in April. He currently holds a senior position within Syria’s defence structures. Authorities have not publicly explained the reasons for his arrest.

As anger over Israel’s war on Palestinians continues to reverberate across the region, protests are increasingly targeting governments seen as aligned with or normalising ties with Tel Aviv.