Syria Pledges to Protect Missions, UAE Condemns “Rioting” at Embassy in Damascus

Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates rejected any assault on, or attempt to approach, accredited embassies and diplomatic premises in Syria, following a protest outside the UAE embassy in Damascus demanding the release of Jaysh al-Islam commander Essam al-Buwaydhani, who has been detained in the UAE for about a year.

At the same time, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as rioting, attempted vandalism, and assaults targeting its diplomatic mission and the residence of the head of mission in the Syrian capital.

Damascus witnessed a protest on Thursday, 2 April, outside the UAE embassy, according to the official Syrian al-Ikhbariya channel. It was organized by dozens of Syrian citizens and members of Essam al-Buwaydhani’s family, demanding his immediate release.

Syrian Foreign Ministry: Embassies Must Not Be Approached

In a statement issued on Saturday, 4 April, Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it maintains a firm and unwavering position rejecting any assault on, or attempt to approach, embassies and diplomatic premises accredited in the Syrian Arab Republic. The ministry said those sites are protected under international law and diplomatic conventions, and are symbols of relations between states and peoples.

The ministry also expressed its categorical rejection and condemnation of any slogans or actions offensive to states or their symbols, saying such behavior contradicts the principles of mutual respect and international cooperation. While affirming citizens’ right to express their views, it said that right must be exercised within the framework of applicable laws and regulations, with full commitment to preserving public security and avoiding practices that could undermine stability or come near diplomatic premises.

UAE Calls for Protection and Accountability

In a statement issued after the Syrian ministry’s position, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it strongly condemned and denounced acts of rioting, attempted vandalism, and assaults that targeted its mission headquarters and the residence of the head of mission in Damascus. It also condemned what it described as unacceptable insults directed at the country’s national symbols.

The UAE called on Syria to assume its responsibilities in protecting the embassy and its staff, and to investigate the circumstances of the incident. It also called for guarantees that such acts will not be repeated, and for the necessary legal measures to be taken against those responsible.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the UAE’s categorical rejection of such “acts of sabotage,” affirming the need to protect diplomatic premises, missions, and their staff in accordance with international laws and norms, particularly the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Protests Over Essam al-Buwaydhani’s Detention

The protest came as part of a series of demonstrations organized by activists in the Syrian capital, Damascus, calling for the release of commander Essam al-Buwaydhani.

Umayyad Square in Damascus had previously witnessed a protest on Monday, 28 April 2025, calling for al-Buwaydhani’s release, according to posts published by news pages on Facebook, including the Douma al-Hurra page.

In a recorded statement, al-Buwaydhani’s family appealed to the Syrian state and the UAE, calling for the release of Jaysh al-Islam commander Essam al-Buwaydhani.

The family also called on both the Presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to guarantee al-Buwaydhani’s safety as a Syrian citizen, according to the statement.

Al-Buwaydhani has led the faction Jaysh al-Islam since 2015. It is one of the most prominent Syrian opposition factions that fought against the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime, and its main stronghold was in Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, until 2018, before it moved to northwestern Syria after the forces of the then-ousted regime took control of Ghouta.

Al-Buwaydhani took command of Jaysh al-Islam after its founder, Zahran Alloush, was killed in a Russian airstrike in 2015. He currently holds a leadership position in the Syrian Ministry of Defense, after the faction was integrated into the ministry during the Victory Conference on 29 January.

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