Dubai Dream Evaporates.. UAE Restricts Visa Movement for Syrian Girls

Dubai Dream Evaporates.. UAE Restricts Visa Movement for Syrian Girls
The policy of preventing Syrian girls from entering the UAE reflects the complexities of regional relations and their direct impact on civilian lives, increasing the suffering of the Syrian people
October 8, 2024, 10:50 pm

دبي

The UAE's sudden decision to stop issuing entry visas to Syrian girls has sparked a wave of speculation and questions about the true motives behind this move. Several tourism offices in Damascus have confirmed this controversial development, indicating that visa issuance is now limited to families only.

In a statement to "Athar", the owner of a tourism office in Damascus, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed details of this unannounced decision. He explained that the rejection of visa issuance for Syrian girls came after a period of allowing them to obtain tourist visas routinely. The source added that the absence of an official decision from Dubai's Immigration Department on this matter increases the ambiguity of the situation.

Mohammed Al-Bani, a member of the Damascus Tourism Chamber, stated that the declared reason behind this measure is violations committed by some Syrian girls, such as overstaying their permitted residence period, in addition to the limited job opportunities available to them in the UAE.

However, these justifications have not prevented speculation about the possibility of hidden coordination between the UAE and the Syrian regime. Some observers have raised doubts about whether this decision is part of a broader strategy aimed at limiting Syrian migration and pressuring them to stay within Syria.

It's worth noting that this decision comes in the context of a series of similar measures, as visa issuance for Syrian young men had previously been stopped without clear reasons. This pattern of decisions raises serious questions about the future of relations between the UAE and Syria, especially in light of the reopening of the UAE embassy in Damascus in 2018 after a 7-year closure.

Analysts view this step as potentially indicative of a shift in UAE policy towards Syria, perhaps aimed at limiting refugee influx or as part of a broader political deal with the Syrian regime. Others suggest that this decision might be an attempt to pressure the Syrian people and restrict their options, which could serve the interests of the regime in Damascus.

In light of these developments, Syrians, especially girls, face additional challenges in their quest to escape the difficult conditions in their country. The UAE had been a preferred destination for many Syrians seeking job opportunities or a better life, and now they find themselves facing another closed door.

Questions remain about the extent of this decision's impact on bilateral relations between the two countries and on the humanitarian situation of Syrians in general. This development also raises questions about the role of regional countries in influencing population movement and migration policies in the region.

Levant-Agencies

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