Khaberni - The Syrian Consul General in the Emirate of Dubai, Ziad Zahreddine, announced his defection from the Syrian government, this coincides with information that his decision came after he was relieved of his position and the Syrian Foreign Ministry demanded his return to the central administration in Damascus.
Al-Hajari Loyalty
Zahreddine said in a recorded video that Sweida was subjected to a "barbaric attack and a crime of genocide and ethnic cleansing" by "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham forces represented by the interim government, adding that the attacks were conducted in cooperation with elements from the Daesh organization from Bedouin tribes.
He mentioned that these attacks "were prepared by the highest leaderships of the authority in Damascus," expressing his agreement with Sweida's demands for the right to self-determination, adding that the right to self-determination is decided by the people of the province and the spiritual leader of the Druze in Syria, Hikmat al-Hajari.
He demanded lifting the "siege" on Sweida and the return of all abductees, asserting that he will cease following any operations due to his refusal to be in power. In his speech, Zahreddine used "Mount Bashan" as Hajari did in his last statement a few days ago, a Hebrew name mentioned in the Torah, which includes Jabal al-Arab (the Druze), the Golan Heights, and the Hauran plain (Daraa) and Quneitra.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responds
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates confirmed that Ziad Zahreddine, who was serving as the Consul General of Syria in Dubai, was transferred to the central administration in Damascus under decision number (209) dated September 20th, and accordingly, his duties at the consulate concluded as of the date of the decision.
The consulate management emphasized that the statements and positions recently issued by Zahreddine do not represent the Syrian state or its official policies, but rather reflect a personal stance that contradicts diplomatic norms and consular work ethics.
It was clarified that the General Consulate of the Syrian Arab Republic in Dubai continues to provide its consular services to Syrian citizens normally and regularly, operating under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Damascus, as reported by "Al-Ikhbariya" channel.
The consulate management reiterated its commitment to respecting the laws and regulations in force in the United Arab Emirates and its adherence to the terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963, commending the ongoing cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs that contributes to facilitating and continuing consular work.
Personal Stance
For its part, the Consular Administration at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Zahreddine was serving as the Consul General for Syria in Dubai, and that a transfer decision had been issued against him to the central administration of the ministry in Damascus since September 20th.
It added that the statements and positions he has recently made "do not represent the Syrian state or its official policies," as his duties at the consulate had ended since the date of the transfer decision, adding that his statements reflect a personal stance that contradicts diplomatic norms and consular work ethics.
Information indicates that Zahreddine belongs to the Druze community, and he is from the diplomatic generation representing the deposed president Bashar al-Assad's regime. He sent his wife to Germany recently seeking asylum following a decision to end his assignment by the Syrian Foreign Ministry, as part of the ministry's plan to restructure the diplomatic corps.
The Syrian Consul in Dubai announces his defection from the regime of Ahmad Al-Shar'
Dr. Ziad Zahreddine, the Syrian Consul General in Dubai, announced his defection from the regime of Ahmad Al-Shar', in a recorded statement, protesting against the "genocide campaign" executed by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham forces with Bedouin tribes under the supervision of Damascus leadership.
He also announced… pic.twitter.com/liT7eW7AwB
— Sally Obeid (@SallyObeid) October 19, 2025
