Iran Press/West Asia: In a televised interview on Saturday, the figure widely regarded as Syria’s de-facto ruler following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, declared that Damascus has no intention of engaging in conflict with Israel.
“We are not about to engage in a conflict with Israel,” Sharaa stated, citing Syria’s fragile state following years of civil war and external intervention. The HTS leader added that the country lacks the capacity to confront Israel militarily at this stage.
Sharaa, who once played key roles in militant organizations such as Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate and Daesh (ISIS), also remarked that Israel has little reason to target Syria now, claiming that “Hezbollah and Iran are no more.” This assertion marks a notable departure from Syria’s longstanding resistance against Israel.
However, analysts question Sharaa’s narrative, pointing to Israel’s continued airstrikes on Syria’s military infrastructure, including its navy, and its occupation of the Golan Heights. These actions underscore Israel’s ongoing concerns over what it perceives as latent threats from within Syria.
In his comments, Sharaa acknowledged the absence of hostilities with Iranian society but framed the fall of Assad’s government as a strategic victory over “Iran’s political project in the region.” HTS and its coalition of foreign-backed militants have often highlighted their opposition to Iranian influence as part of their broader agenda.
This stance aligns with reports that the recent offensive, supported by Turkey and the United States, aimed to limit Iranian and Hezbollah’s presence in Syria. While HTS now controls Damascus, Sharaa’s comments suggest that his administration seeks to redefine Syria’s foreign policy and regional alliances.
On December 8, HTS-led forces launched a surprise offensive from their stronghold in northwestern Syria, capturing Damascus in less than two weeks. The swift campaign ended the Assad government’s rule, which had lasted over two decades.
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