ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Issam Bouidani, the former leader of the Jaish al-Islam rebel group, in Damascus after his release from the United Arab Emirates following a lengthy period of detention on unknown charges.

Bouidani, a leader in Syria’s Ministry of Defense, was detained in Dubai in April 2025. No formal charges were publicly announced at the time of his detention.

The released Syrian headed up an Islamist group that fought against the government of former President Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian Civil War, with his faction being assimilated into the Syrian state following Sharaa's rise to power in December 2024.

After receiving Bouidani, Sharaa and accompanying ministers traveled with him to Douma, his home town in the Damascus countryside, where they were welcomed by officials, local dignitaries, and residents.

The development came a day after Sharaa traveled to Abu Dhabi on an official visit, where he met UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional developments and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Wednesday met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the "security situation and regional challenges" - Statement

Sharaa asserted "the need to respect the sovereignty of states and reject any practices that affect… pic.twitter.com/vI6A8Au8ZC

— The New Region (@thenewregion) April 22, 2026

In early April, Damascus witnessed protests outside the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates that initially called for Bouidani’s release before expanding into demonstrations carrying Palestinian flags and chanting anti-UAE slogans.

The UAE foreign ministry condemned what it described as rioting and vandalism targeting its diplomatic mission, while Syria’s foreign ministry rejected any attack on embassies and said diplomatic premises are protected under international law.