Remembering the formation of the United Arab Republic between Egypt and Syria

The United Arab Republic (UAR) was a short-lived political union between Egypt and Syria, embodying the aspirations of Pan-Arabism at its peak during the mid-20th century. This ambitious union symbolised a bold experiment in regional integration, challenging both colonial legacies and Cold War rivalries with a lasting impact on the two countries’ national identities.

What: The formation of the United Arab Republic

When: 1 February, 1958 (proclamation); 22 February, 1958 (official ratification)

Where: Cairo, Egypt, and Damascus, Syria

What happened?

In the aftermath of World War II, the Arab world experienced a surge of nationalist movements aiming to unify various Arab nations under a single political entity. Following the 1952 Revolution, Egypt under the charismatic leadership of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, emerged as the figurehead of Pan-Arabism. Spurred on by the nationalisation of the Suez Canal in 1956, Abdel Nasser advocated for Arab unity and independence from colonial influences.

Concurrently, Syria faced internal political instability, with its government experiencing frequent changes and increasing influence from both Western and Soviet blocs during the Cold War. The rise of the Syrian Communist Party and concerns over potential communist dominance prompted Syrian leaders to seek unification with Egypt, viewing it as a means to stabilise the country and strengthen its position in the Arab world.

On 1 February, 1958, Egypt and Syria announced their intention to merge into a single sovereign state, the UAR. This proclamation was followed by nationwide referendums in both countries, culminating in the official ratification of the Union on 22 February, 1958 when Abdel Nasser and his Syrian counterpart, President Shukri Al-Quwatli, signed the union charter at Cairo’s iconic Qasr El-Qubba. Abdel Nasser was declared the President of the UAR, with Cairo as its capital.

“We have formed a strong country free from the influence of foreigners who used to boast of being … strong and great powers,” Abdel Nasser declared as thousands cheered “Nasser, destroyer of imperialism.” Quwatli for his part praised the event as “A great day in the history of Arabs and a turning point in world events.”

The unification of Egypt and Syria was not just a political move; it was a revival of a historical reality.

These two lands had been strategically and culturally intertwined for centuries, most notably under the leadership of the famed 12th-century sultan Salah Al-Din Al-Ayubi. Recognising their importance in resisting European Crusaders in Jerusalem, Salah Al-Din united Egypt and Syria to form a powerful front against foreign domination. Abdel Nasser, deeply influenced by this legacy, wove it into his anti-imperialist rhetoric, frequently invoked Salah Al-Din in his speeches, once stating:

“The whole region was united for reasons of mutual security to face an imperialism coming from Europe and bearing the Cross in order to disguise its ambitions behind the facade of Christianity.”

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Following the formalisation of the Union, Nasser made a surprise visit to Damascus on 24 February to co-sign the union agreement where he was greeted by massive crowds celebrating the newly formed republic.  This was his first time visiting Syria during which he paid homage to the tomb of Salah Al-Din as part of a tour Quwatli gave him of the ancient capital.

The United Arab Republic. “The Great Joy”in Lebanon’s Al-Ahad Magazine 1958. pic.twitter.com/s0lZ7DyD9Q

— MENA Visuals (@menavisualss) January 25, 2025

The UAR was envisioned as the first step toward a broader Pan-Arab state, aiming to serve as a model for future Arab unity. The Union was structured as a centralised government, with Nasser implementing policies to integrate the political and economic systems of Egypt and Syria. However, this centralisation led to tensions, as many Syrians felt marginalised in the decision-making processes and the military, while Abdel Nasser’s socialist economic reforms were met with resistance from Syrian business communities.

What happened next?

Following the official formation of the UAR, Denmark was the first country to recognise the new republic on the same day. The US extended its recognition shortly thereafter, on 25 February, 1958.

Despite the initial enthusiasm, the Union faced significant challenges. The centralised governance model led to feelings of political disenfranchisement among Syrians, who perceived Egyptian dominance in the Union’s affairs. Economic policies imposed by Abdel Nasser, including land reforms and nationalisation of industries, were unpopular in Syria and led to economic difficulties.

These issues culminated in a military coup in Syria on 28 September, 1961, resulting in Syria’s secession from the UAR and the re-establishment of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The UAR left a lasting impact, influencing the symbols of its member states.

Egypt continued to use the name United Arab Republic until 1971, when it was officially changed back to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

As for the flag of the UAR, featuring two green stars representing Egypt and Syria, it was readopted by Syria in 1980 to signify its commitment to Arab unity. This flag remained in use until the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Following Assad’s ousting, Syrians reinstated the independence-era flag, a tricolour of green, white, and black with three red stars, which had been used by the opposition during the civil war.

After the Union’s formation, Iraq also expressed interest in joining the UAR, envisioning a tripartite Union. A new flag was proposed, featuring three stars to symbolise the inclusion of Egypt, Syria and Iraq in the Union. Although this plan was never realised, Iraq adopted a similar flag with three stars, representing its aspiration to join the UAR.

The Federation of Arab Republics (FAR), formed in 1972 between Egypt, Syria and Libya, was a later attempt to revive the spirit of Pan-Arab unity, much like the UAR before it. The FAR was a looser confederation, allowing member states to retain their own governments while cooperating under a unified framework. Libya’s late leader, Muammar Gaddafi, inspired by Abdel Nasser, spearheaded the initiative, but unlike the UAR, it never functioned as a unified state.

While the UAR ultimately failed to achieve lasting unity, it remains an exceptional episode in the modern Middle East and arguably the most literal manifestation of Pan-Arabism put into practise, transcending borders put in place by the fateful Sykes-Picot Agreement.

In one of his rousing speeches from Damascus, Nasser would tell the excited crowd of not just Syrians and Lebanese but Arabs from across the region:

“As I see my brothers from sister Lebanon standing side by side with their brothers from the region of Syria and the region of Egypt, I feel I am witnessing the return of matters to their natural course. The artificial boundaries that have been put up between Arab countries by the imperialists cannot estrange us.”

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