Syrians riot outside UAE embassy in Damascus — UAE flag lowered, diplomats threatened

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the UAE embassy in Damascus on April 4, with some splitting off from a larger pro-Palestinian demonstration at Umayyad Square to attempt to storm the embassy. Syrian security forces intervened, preventing a full breach, but protesters lowered the UAE flag. The UAE Foreign Ministry condemned 'riots, acts of vandalism, and assaults' outside the embassy and the residence of its head of mission, calling on Syria to protect diplomatic personnel, investigate the incident and hold perpetrators accountable. Syria's foreign ministry said it took a 'firm and unwavering stance' against attacks on diplomatic missions. The demonstrations were triggered by Israel's new law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly terror attacks passed by the Knesset this week. The UAE normalised relations with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords, making its embassy in Damascus a target for anti-normalisation sentiment amid the war.