Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, on Saturday accused Israel of using false pretexts to justify its recent attacks on Syrian territory. However, he emphasized that Syria is not seeking new conflicts as the nation prioritizes reconstruction after the end of Bashar al-Assad’s five-decade rule.
Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, leads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which ousted Assad’s regime last week. The group’s takeover marked a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape.
Israeli forces recently moved into a demilitarized zone inside Syria, established following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The area includes the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, a strategic site overlooking Damascus, where Israel occupied an abandoned Syrian military post. Israel has stated that the incursion is a temporary measure to ensure border security and does not intend to stay. Additionally, Israeli airstrikes have targeted Syria’s strategic weapons stockpiles.
Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, condemned Israel’s actions, labeling the buffer zone seizure in the Golan Heights as a violation of international norms.
“Israeli arguments have become weak and no longer justify their recent violations,” Al-Sharaa said in an interview published by Syria TV, a pro-opposition outlet. “The Israelis have clearly crossed the lines of engagement in Syria, posing a threat of unwarranted escalation in the region.”
He underscored that Syria’s current focus is on rebuilding after years of conflict. “Syria’s war-weary condition does not allow for new confrontations. The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not disputes that could lead to further destruction,” Al-Sharaa said.
Addressing international relations, Al-Sharaa called for diplomatic solutions to ensure security and stability, rejecting “uncalculated military adventures.”
On Russia, which provided military support to Assad’s regime and recently granted him asylum, Al-Sharaa said future relations should serve mutual interests. “The current stage requires careful management of international relations,” he added.
