Syrian Consul in the UAE Announces “Defection” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responds

The Syrian Consul General in Dubai, Ziad Zaher Al-Din, announced in a recorded video published today, Sunday, his defection from working with the Transitional Government in Syria. Later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affiliated with the Transitional Government issued a response denying the statements made by the consul and refuting his narrative.

In the recorded video, “Zaher Al-Din” affirmed that his decision “came in protest against the genocide campaign carried out by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham forces in cooperation with the Bedouin tribes, under the direct supervision of the highest leadership of the authority in Damascus,” according to his description.

Zaher Al-Din also declared his joining the voices demanding the establishment of a special entity for the Druze Unifiers, expressing solidarity with the position represented by the spiritual presidency of the sect led by Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, according to the video.

In turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Transitional Government responded to the video of Consul Ziad Zaher Al-Din, stating: “We confirm that Mr. Ziad Zaher Al-Din, who was holding the position of Consul General of the Syrian Arab Republic in Dubai, has been transferred to the central administration in Damascus pursuant to Decision No. (209) dated 20/09/2025, and accordingly, his duties at the consulate officially ended as of the date of the decision.”

It added that “the statements and positions recently issued by the mentioned individual do not represent the Syrian state or its official policies but rather reflect a purely personal stance that contradicts diplomatic norms and consular work ethics.”

The Ministry confirmed that the Syrian Consulate General in Dubai continues to perform its duties and consular services for Syrian citizens in a normal and regular manner and operates under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Damascus.