Trevor Ng
The Persian Gulf, also known as the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. It is bordered by Iran, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. The Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have played a significant role in the Syrian uprising. Syria's participation in the Persian Gulf War also led to financial aid from the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The Gulf states' interest in Syria is influenced by their desire to counter Iranian influence in the region and shape the country's political landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | The Persian Gulf is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean that lies between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran. |
| Southern Limit | The Northwestern limit of the Gulf of Oman. |
| Length | 989 kilometres (615 miles) |
| Width | 56 km (35 mi) at its narrowest, in the Strait of Hormuz |
| Area | 251,000 square kilometres (96,912 sq mi) according to one source; 241,000 square km (93,000 sq mi) according to another |
| Countries with a coastline | Iran, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq |
| Islands | Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, Kish (administered by Iran), Bubiyan (administered by Kuwait), Tarout (administered by Saudi Arabia), Dalma (administered by UAE), The World Islands (in Dubai), and The Pearl Island (in Doha) |
| Syria's relationship with Gulf states | Syria has received significant financial aid from Arab states of the Persian Gulf and participated in the US-led Gulf War. However, since the 2011 civil war, Syria has been isolated from the international community and has severed diplomatic ties with several countries, including some Gulf states. |
| Ethnic groups in Syria | Smaller ethnic minority groups include Albanians, Bosnians, Georgians, Greeks, Persians, Pashtuns, and Russians. |
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What You'll Learn
The Gulf states' influence on the Syrian uprising
The Gulf States have been key to shaping the Syrian uprising, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar at the forefront. The Gulf States' intervention in Syria is driven by a desire to dislodge Syria from the Iranian orbit and counter Iranian influence in the region. The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has long had close ties to Shia Iran, which has been an affront to Sunni Gulf States, particularly Saudi Arabia.
In 2011, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, called for an armed Arab intervention to end the bloodshed in Syria, but this attempt failed. As multilateral efforts moved to the United Nations, the Gulf States adopted unilateral and largely unregulated policies toward Syria, providing funding and weaponry to rebel groups. This led to an additional layer of fragmentation as fighters, resources, and money were channelled to competing factions.
Gulf States have also provided humanitarian assistance to Syria, with Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia pledging a total of $1.5 billion in aid. However, the lack of coordination among donors and the absence of a common 'Gulf approach' to Syria may have contributed to the country's instability.
Additionally, deep-rooted tribal bonds between the Gulf States and Syria have influenced the response to the Syrian uprising. Migrant tribes maintain strong relations across borders, and intermarriage between Syrian tribal leaders and Gulf royals is not uncommon. Syrian tribal members also regularly travel to the Gulf for work and sometimes become naturalized citizens.
The Gulf States' approach to Syria has evolved over time. Initially, Saudi Arabia and the UAE opposed regime change, but they have since switched course, embracing the new leadership and power dynamics in the country. In May 2023, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Arab countries granted Syria readmission to the League of Arab States. The fall of the pro-Iranian Assad regime has opened a window for Gulf States to expand their influence in the region, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar paying off Syria's World Bank debt and state-owned Gulf airlines restarting flights to Damascus.
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Syria's isolation from the international community
The Persian Gulf, an inland sea, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. It is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean, located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.
Syria has faced increasing isolation from the international community due to the ongoing civil war that started in 2011 and associated human rights abuses and killings. This has resulted in severed diplomatic relations with several countries, including the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, and many others. Syria was also suspended from the Arab League for over 11 years following its violent suppression of the Arab Spring protests during the 2011 Syrian Revolution. The country has also faced sanctions and restrictions from the United States and other nations, aiming to pressure the Syrian regime to end violence and allow for a democratic transition. Syria has been designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism by the United States since 1979, with additional sanctions imposed in 2004. The ongoing conflict has negatively impacted Syria's economy and led to international condemnation of war crimes and human rights violations by all sides.
The international community has responded to the situation in Syria with sanctions and attempts to isolate the Syrian regime. The United States, through executive orders and acts such as the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003, has imposed property blocks and economic restrictions on the country. The IWGS (International Working Group on Syria) has focused on asset freezes, financial restrictions, and an embargo on petroleum-related projects. The group has also urged the protection of Syrian cultural heritage by prohibiting the export of stolen cultural property. The UN Security Council condemned Israeli occupation and annexation of Syrian territory in Resolution 497 (1981) as "null and void and without international legal effect."
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The Persian Gulf's salinity and ecology
The Persian Gulf, also known as the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. It is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean, located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. The Gulf is semi-enclosed and connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz. The water balance budget for the Persian Gulf includes river discharges from Iran and Iraq, as well as precipitation over the sea. The evaporation rate in the sea is high, and the water from the Persian Gulf has a higher salinity, exiting from the bottom of the Strait of Hormuz, while ocean water with lower salinity flows in through the top.
The salinity levels in the Persian Gulf range from 37 to 41 parts per thousand, with even higher levels in the lagoons on the Arabian shore. The high salinity is caused by a combination of factors, including the low influx of freshwater from rivers like the Tigris, Euphrates, and Karun, and high surface-water temperatures ranging from 75 to 90 °F (24 to 32 °C) in the Strait of Hormuz. The tidal range varies from 4 to 5 feet around Qatar and increases to 9 to 11 feet in the northwest and southeast.
The Persian Gulf is home to diverse ecosystems, including extensive reefs, coral reefs, and abundant pearl oysters. It is also a major fishing ground, with over 700 species of fish, most of which are native and reef-associated. However, the ecology of the Gulf has faced significant challenges due to industrialization and oil spills. There are concerns that the extensive coastal development and desalination activities may negatively impact the Gulf's marine ecosystems, including fisheries.
The bordering countries of the Persian Gulf have experienced rapid economic development, urbanization, and population growth, which have placed additional stress on the region's environment and natural resources. The increasing array of anthropogenic disturbances, including conflicts and the presence of invasive species, further highlight the need for sustainable ecological management and collaboration among the bordering countries.
The Persian Gulf is also known for its mangroves and the diverse species of mangrove crabs that play a crucial role in maintaining carbon and nitrogen fluxes. Additionally, the Gulf is home to various islands, some of which are the subject of territorial disputes between regional states. These islands provide critical nesting habitats for seabirds, with over 100,000 breeding pairs of waterbirds from 11 species recorded on Iranian islands in 2009.
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The naming dispute of the Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf naming dispute is an ongoing controversy surrounding the body of water between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. The internationally recognized name for this body of water is the "Persian Gulf", a name that has been used since at least the 10th century by Arab historians and geographers. The name is derived from the historic region of Persia, which is associated with modern-day Iran, whose coastal lands lie along the northern shoreline of the gulf.
However, with the emergence of pan-Arabism and Arab nationalism in the 1960s, the usage of alternative names such as "Arabian Gulf" or simply "The Gulf" increased. This change in nomenclature was driven by Arab leaders who sought to emphasize the maritime claims of the gulf's Arab dynasties and to detach any perceived "Persian" claim to the gulf based on its name. The name "Arabian Gulf" was first used by a Westerner, Sir Charles Belgrave (British adviser to the ruler of Bahrain), in 1955.
The dispute over the naming of the gulf has led to geopolitical tensions between Iran and its neighbours for more than six decades. Iran considers the use of "The Gulf" by some atlases and media outlets, including the BBC and The Times Atlas of the World, as an active contribution to the abandonment of the historical name. In 2006, Iran banned the sale of The Economist after a map in the magazine labelled the Persian Gulf as "The Gulf". In 2010, Iran warned that any foreign airlines that failed to use the term "Persian Gulf" would not be allowed to use Iranian airspace.
The International Hydrographic Organization, the global body for marine navigation, recognizes the name "Persian Gulf" and uses the name "Gulf of Iran (Persian Gulf)". The United Nations (UN) has also acknowledged the validity of the term "Persian Gulf", noting that during the Achaemenid Persian Empire (559-330 BCE), the name "Pars Sea" was widely used in written texts, indicating Persian influence over the area. Despite this international recognition, the naming dispute continues, with some atlases and media outlets opting to use alternative names or avoid naming the body of water altogether.
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Gulf states' attempts to steer Damascus away from Tehran
The Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have been key in shaping the Syrian uprising and have long desired to dislodge Syria from Iranian influence. The fall of Syria's Baathist regime and the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule marked a significant setback for Iran's grip on Damascus.
Gulf states have been compelled to factor regional systemic pressure into their security policies, actively turning this pressure into an advantage through specific strategic initiatives. They have sought to counter Tehran's influence and engage in regional and international affairs to fill the void left by Iran's waning power.
Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has prioritized efforts to deepen ties with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, recognizing their financial clout and close relationships with Washington and Europe. Al-Sharaa's administration views Saudi Arabia and Qatar as valuable partners, and these Gulf states have positioned themselves as financial patrons and diplomatic intermediaries for Syria.
The Gulf states believe that a new Sunni regime in Damascus will naturally ally itself with them, particularly if they have helped establish the new order through financial and military support. A Sunni state in Syria would also strengthen marginalized Iraqi Sunni forces, giving them and their Gulf backers greater influence in Baghdad. Additionally, regime change in Damascus would bolster the Gulf states' standing in Lebanon, strengthening pro-Sunni Gulf actors at the expense of the dominant pro-Assad Hezbollah movement.
The decline of Tehran's influence has elevated the Gulf states' role in the reconstruction of Damascus, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar extending assistance to pay the salaries of Syrian state employees. However, Israel's hardline policies against Palestine may push Gulf states to prioritize GCC initiatives and a more independent strategy in shaping the future of the Middle East.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Syria is a country in the Middle East that borders the Mediterranean Sea. The Persian Gulf is a sea in West Asia, bordered by Iran, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.
The Persian Gulf is an important body of water in the region, providing access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is also known for its fishing grounds and extensive reefs, as well as its oil production. Additionally, the Persian Gulf is home to several islands that hold historical and strategic significance.
The Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have played a significant role in shaping the Syrian uprising and the country's recent political history. There have been efforts by these states to reduce Syrian dependence on Iran and increase their own regional influence. Syria has also received financial and military aid from the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
