Syrian President Al-Sharaa Accuses Israel of Destabilization, Warns Against “Illusions of Victory”

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Syrian Interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa delivered a forceful address at dawn Thursday, condemning Israeli military actions and political interference, which he claimed have fueled the recent escalation in Suwayda. Al-Sharaa accused Tel Aviv of “sowing sedition” and warned that “victory in one arena does not guarantee success in another.”

Al-Sharaa: Israel Seeks to Turn Syria into a Permanent Arena of Chaos

In a nationally broadcast speech, Al-Sharaa said that Israel, since the fall of the previous regime, has “persistently targeted Syria’s stability and unity” and is now attempting to “transform our sacred land into an arena of endless chaos.”

He accused Israel of exploiting historic tensions and manipulating internal disputes, particularly in Suwayda province, to dismantle Syria’s social fabric and undermine its reconstruction process. “The Israeli entity does not cease in using all means to sow conflicts, unaware that Syrians—throughout their history—have rejected division and disintegration,” he declared.

Victory Is Not Power Alone: Syria Will Not Be Fragmented

Al-Sharaa delivered a direct warning to Israel, asserting: “Possessing great power does not ensure victory. Success in one battlefield does not mean success elsewhere. You may start a war, but you will not control its outcome.”

Affirming Syria’s resolve, Al-Sharaa stated, “We are the sons of this land. We know who is trying to drag us into war, who aims to divide us. Syria is not a testing ground for foreign conspiracies nor a field for others’ ambitions at the cost of our blood.”

Suwayda Violence: A Call for National Unity and Restraint

Addressing the recent bloodshed in Suwayda, Al-Sharaa said the state had intervened “with full resolve and responsibility” to end internal fighting triggered by longstanding local disputes. “Instead of assisting in calming the situation, lawless groups chose chaos and provocation,” he said, accusing these armed factions of rejecting dialogue and committing crimes against civilians.

He confirmed that the Ministries of Defense and Interior successfully deployed forces to restore order, despite what he described as expanded Israeli targeting of civilian and government infrastructure, which sought to undermine Damascus' stabilization efforts.

Mediation Averted Wider Conflict

Al-Sharaa credited “American, Arab, and Turkish mediation” for preventing a regional conflagration. “We faced two options: open war with Israel at the expense of our Druze citizens and national stability—or empowering Druze leaders and community figures to prioritize unity over division,” he said.

Although he reaffirmed Syria’s readiness for confrontation, Al-Sharaa emphasized that “the best course was to act wisely, preserve national unity, and safeguard lives.”

Local Druze Leaders Assigned Responsibility for Security

The Syrian president announced the decision to entrust local Druze sheikhs and factions with maintaining order in Suwayda, describing the move as a strategic response to avoid broader conflict. “This decision reflects our deep awareness of the dangers to our national unity and the need to avoid slipping into a new destructive war,” he said.

A Promise of Justice and Protection for the Druze Community

Al-Sharaa assured the Druze population that the state remains responsible for their protection and pledged accountability for those who harmed civilians. “The Druze are under the protection of the state. The law and justice guarantee everyone’s rights, without exception,” he said.

He concluded his address with a call to all Syrians: “We must protect the unity of the country, ensure the safety of our people, and secure the future of our children—far from any threats that may derail our path to recovery and reconstruction.”