On Thursday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivered a defiant televised speech, vowing to protect Syria’s Druze minority amidst ongoing sectarian clashes in the southern province of Suweida. The conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 300 people in recent days, has heightened tensions in the region.
During his address, al-Sharaa accused Israel of exploiting internal unrest to fragment Syria. “We are the sons of this land and the most capable of overcoming the attempts of the Israeli entity to tear us apart,” he stated. The president emphasized that Syria’s Druze population is an integral part of the nation and affirmed that the protection of this community is a top priority.
The unrest in Suweida erupted following the abduction of a local merchant, leading to clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes. As violence spread, Israeli airstrikes targeted Syrian military sites in Damascus and the south. The Israeli government justified the airstrikes, claiming they were aimed at protecting Syria’s Druze community. However, Syria condemned the Israeli actions as “treacherous aggression.”
Amid the chaos, al-Sharaa pledged that the Syrian government would ensure stability and defend the nation’s unity. “We do not fear war,” he declared. “We have spent our lives facing challenges and defending our people, but we have prioritized the interest of the people over chaos and destruction.”
Al-Sharaa also highlighted the Syrian government’s efforts to restore order in Suweida. State institutions intervened swiftly to prevent further violence and have reportedly gained control over security in the area. As part of an agreement with Druze religious leaders, government forces have begun to withdraw from the region.
The Syrian interim president reiterated that Israel has been working to destabilize Syria since the collapse of the Assad regime in December. He accused Israel of using sectarian divisions to weaken Syria’s national unity, stating, “Since the fall of the regime, Israel has been seeking to dismantle Syria.”
In response to the growing conflict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington, along with regional partners, had agreed on measures to end the violence. The United States has called for swift action to stabilize the situation, a sentiment echoed by Syria’s foreign ministry, which welcomed the diplomatic efforts.
Read more about the escalating tensions — In a recent attack, Iranian President Pezeshkian was injured in an Israeli strike on a secret Tehran facility
