On Friday, protests erupted outside the United Arab Emirates embassy in Damascus, Syria, as demonstrators labeled the site a 'Zionist embassy.' The unrest began when a faction split from a larger pro-Palestinian protest at Umayyad Square, attempting to approach the embassy. Syrian security forces intervened to prevent the situation from escalating. In response, the UAE condemned the protests and called on Syrian authorities to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff and to investigate the incident. Although the Syrian foreign ministry did not directly address the embassy situation, it emphasized its commitment to protecting diplomatic missions. These protests are part of a broader wave of unrest in Syria, which has intensified following Israel's parliament introducing stricter penalties for Palestinians involved in attacks. The UAE normalized relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords in 2020, but relations have become strained amid ongoing regional tensions.