Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday thanked his “Arab brothers” for the help provided in the wake of the deadly earthquake that prompted several countries in the region to break years of diplomatic silence with Damascus.
• Also read: Turkey: Arrest of a man who tried to steal a baby who survived the earthquake
• Also read: In Syria, the little orphans of the earthquake
• Also read: First aid in Syrian rebel areas via a second border post
The February 6 earthquake killed nearly 40,000 people in Turkey and neighboring Syria.
Mr Assad has received calls from leaders in several Arab countries, some of whom cut ties with the Syrian regime more than a decade ago over the suppression of the 2011 popular uprising that degenerated into civil war.
Some 120 planes loaded with aid also landed at the country’s airports, about half of them from the United Arab Emirates, the first Gulf state to resume ties with Damascus by reopening its embassy in 2018.
“We must express our gratitude to all the countries that have stood by us among our Arab brothers and friends since the first hours of the disaster,” the Syrian President said in a televised address on Thursday.
“Your support has had a major impact in strengthening our ability to cope with the difficult conditions during these critical hours,” he continued.
At least 3,600 Syrians died in the earthquake, which struck nearly 12 years after the start of the civil war that left nearly half a million dead, infrastructure devastated and millions displaced.
“The scale of the disaster and the tasks ahead far exceed the resources available,” Assad said, adding that the country will continue to face enormous social and economic challenges.
After the beginning of the civil war, Bashar al-Assad felt diplomatically isolated, especially between the Arab countries. Syria was expelled from the Arab League at the end of 2011.
Efforts to help this country have been spearheaded by Abu Dhabi, which has helped break its isolation. Several other Arab countries outlined an opening towards Damascus after the earthquake.
Saudi Arabia has sent two planes carrying aid to Syria since Tuesday after suspending flights for more than a decade.
Bashar al-Assad also met with the Emirati and Jordanian foreign ministers in Damascus and received calls from the leaders of Egypt, Bahrain and Jordan.