Saudi Arabia, Qatar condemn attacks on UAE embassy in Damascus
A security guard stands in front of the UAE embassy in Damascus during its reopening. PHOTO: REUTERS
Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Sunday strongly condemned riots, assaults, and acts of vandalism targeting the United Arab Emirates embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, reaffirming their firm rejection of attacks on diplomatic missions.
In a statement on X, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the acts of rioting, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the UAE embassy and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.
The statement described the incidents as unacceptable offences directed at UAE national symbols and affirmed the Kingdom’s rejection of such attacks, as well as all forms of violence against diplomats.
The ministry stressed “the necessity of ensuring the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in accordance with relevant international laws and conventions.”
#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation of the acts of rioting, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the brotherly United Arab Emirates and the residence of its Head of Mission in the Syrian… pic.twitter.com/kmO59JU77A
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In a separate post on X, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the State of Qatar “expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the riots and attacks targeting the Embassy of the sisterly UAE and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus, as well as the violation of the inviolability of diplomatic missions that accompanied them.”
The statement added that targeting diplomatic premises constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, stressing the need to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that such acts are not repeated.
It reiterated Qatar’s full solidarity with the UAE, emphasising the importance of taking necessary measures to guarantee the protection of diplomatic missions and ensure the safety and security of their personnel, in accordance with international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Qatar Condemns Attacks Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus
Doha | April 04, 2026
The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the riots and attacks targeting the Embassy of the sisterly United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the residence of its head of… pic.twitter.com/IQ9MfIUwuMOn Saturday, the UAE itself condemned what it described as "riots, acts of vandalism, and assaults" outside its embassy and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.
In a statement on X, the UAE's foreign ministry called on Syria to "uphold its obligations to protect the embassy and its personnel, investigate the circumstances surrounding these attacks, prevent their recurrence, and take all necessary legal measures to hold the perpetrators accountable."
UAE Condemns in the Strongest Terms Acts of Vandalism and Attack on Its Embassy in Damascushttps://t.co/9DVXP8TXEY pic.twitter.com/OrmjiyR1fm
A Reuters reporter saw dozens of protesters gathering outside the UAE's embassy in Damascus at midday on Friday, including some chanting "the Zionist embassy".
A Syrian security official told Reuters that the incident occurred after some participants split off from a larger pro-Palestinian demonstration being held at the nearby Umayyad Square and tried to storm the embassy.
"Internal security forces prevented them from doing so and dealt with the situation," the official said, speaking anonymously because he was not authorised to speak to the media.
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Syria's foreign ministry did not directly refer to the incident but said in a statement on Friday evening that it took a "firm and unwavering stance" against any attack on or attempt to approach embassies and diplomatic missions.
Demonstrations have taken place across Syria since the Israeli parliament passed a law making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks.
The UAE normalised relations with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, though diplomatic relations have been strained by Israel's hard-right turn since then.