DUBAI: Gulf stock markets rose in early trade on Sunday, boosted by strong oil prices and the fact that the Western military attack on Syria on Saturday appeared to be limited in scope and caused no immediate retaliation.

The United States, France and Britain launched 105 missiles after a suspected poison gas attack in Syria a week earlier. The assault was confined to three alleged chemical weapons facilities and led to no immediate reaction from Syria’s ally Russia.

Brent oil  closed at $72.58 a barrel on Friday, near multi-year highs, partly because of the geopolitical tensions.

All the main Gulf stock markets were in positive territory on Sunday, recovering from losses late last week. The Saudi index was up 1.6 percent after an hour with petrochemical companies such as Sahara Petrochemical  and Saudi Kayan, up 2.5 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, supported by firm oil prices.

Advanced Petrochemical initially fell but then rebounded to stand 1.1 percent higher. The company estimated first-quarter net profit fell to 98 million riyals ($26.1 million) from 124.4 million riyals a year earlier, as sales declined 4.2 percent; analysts surveyed by Reuters had on average forecast profit of 124 million riyals.

In Dubai, the index surged 1.6 percent as Deyaar Development rose 2.4 percent after it reported a 25 percent leap in first-quarter net profit, as revenues rose by nearly the same margin. Profit sank last year.

The Abu Dhabi index was up 1.2 percent with Dana Gas up 3.3 percent. The company said in late March it would seek shareholder approval to pay a dividend for 2017, its first in years, and at the weekend, it published on its website a report by Al-Khaleej newspaper saying "the Board can also now continue to recommend dividends in future years".

However, an English High Court injunction, the result of Dana's legal battle with holders of its $700 million of sukuk, bars it from paying dividends until the court holds a further hearing on April 20. Dana has challenged the injunction.

(Reporting by Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Andrew Torchia) ((Davide.Barbuscia@thomsonreuters.com; +971522604297; Reuters Messaging: davide.barbuscia.reuters.com@reuters.net))