A win for Assad? UAE reopens embassy in Syria 'after a careful reading of the developments'

The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Syria, with officials announcing Thursday that the decision was made "after a careful reading of developments" in the war-torn country.

Several Arab nations shuttered their consulates in Damascus in 2011 in protest of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's treatment of rebel factions as the country spiraled into civil war; but the UAE's return signals Assad's re-emerging strength, according to Reuters.

What are the details?

Anwar Gargash, the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, tweeted that his country's decision "to return to its political and diplomatic work in Damascus comes after a careful reading of the developments." He added that "the Arab role in Syria is becoming more necessary."

قرار دولة الامارات العربية المتحدة بعودة عملها السياسي والدبلوماسي في دمشق يأتي بعد قراءة متأنية للتطورات ووليد قناعة أن المرحلة القادمة تتطلب الحضور والتواصل العربي مع الملف السوري حرصا على سوريا وشعبها وسيادتها ووحدة أراضيها.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) December 27, 2018
Translation from Arabic to English via Microsoft: The decision of the United Arab Emirates to return to its political and diplomatic work in Damascus comes after a careful reading of the developments, and Walid is convinced that the next stage requires the presence and communication of the Arabs with the Syrian dossier in the interest of Syria, its people, its sovereignty and its territorial integrity.

الدور العربي في سوريا أصبح أكثر ضرورة تجاه التغوّل الإقليمي الإيراني والتركي، وتسعى الامارات اليوم عبر حضورها في دمشق إلى تفعيل هذا الدور وأن تكون الخيارات العربية حاضرة و أن تساهم إيجابا تجاه إنهاء ملف الحرب وتعزيز فرص السلام والاستقرار للشعب السوري.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) December 27, 2018
Translation: The Arab role in Syria is becoming more necessary towards the regional Iranian and Turkish territorial exchange, and the UAE today, through its presence in Damascus, seeks to activate this role and to make the Arab choices present and to contribute positively towards ending the war and promoting the chances of peace and stability for the Syrian people.

The Telegraph reported that Bahrain may also reopen its embassy in Damascus next week, citing Syrian state media.

What's the background?

The UAE previously backed anti-Assad forces, but has done an apparent about-face as the Syrian president seems poised to regain full control of the nation's sovereign territories. With the support of Russia and Iran, Assad has taken back all but the northeastern region along Turkey's border — where U.S. troops currently fight in a coalition against ISIS with Kurdish forces.

President Donald Trump recently announced that all American military personnel will be gradually withdrawn from Syria beginning in a matter of weeks, while Turkey is amassing tanks and armored vehicles in preparation for stepping into the territory after the U.S. leaves.

Meanwhile, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that the northeastern region should be returned to the control of the Syrian government. Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also told reporters that the expected U.S. pullout would be helpful, saying, "If the troop withdrawal happens, it would have a positive impact on the situation."