Dim Amor

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed his people and the Druze minority in the country last night in a dramatic nighttime statement, leveling serious accusations against Israel and charging it with attempting to dismantle Syria. The statement came just hours after a ceasefire took effect and following the withdrawal of his forces from As-Suwayda, the Druze stronghold in Syria.

Al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, expressed sharp allegations against Israel in the context of violent clashes that occurred in the Druze stronghold and Israel's involvement in attempting to protect them. The Syrian president accused Jerusalem of "seeking to turn our land into an arena of chaos" and using the sensitive security situation to advance its objectives.

In his nighttime statement, al-Sharaa declared that "the Syrian people are always ready to fight for their honor. We are the children of this land and capable of overcoming Israel's attempts". He added and emphasized that "we are eager to bring to justice those who harmed our Druze people", promising to take action against those who harmed members of the Druze minority.

In a direct address to the Druze community in Syria, the Syrian president promised that "the Druze people are an integral part of the fabric of this nation. Syria will never be a place for division, fragmentation, or sowing discord among its people". Al-Sharaa clarified that "we promise you that protecting your rights and freedoms is at the top of our priorities", while rejecting any effort aimed at dragging the Druze to an external side or creating division within the ranks of the Syrian people.

The Syrian president presented the current crisis as part of a broader pattern of Israeli policy, claiming that "since the fall of the regime, Israel seeks to dismantle Syria". According to him, Israel "has exacerbated the situation with its actions" and operates systematically to undermine stability in the country. Al-Sharaa added and accused Israel of viewing Syria as "an arena for experiments with foreign conspiracies and others' aspirations".

In what appeared to be an attempt to calm the situation, al-Sharaa explained that "we decided to entrust local factions and sheikhs with the responsibility of maintaining security in the province". He emphasized that "we chose not to be drawn into confrontations in order to preserve the security of the state", attempting to present the withdrawal from As-Suwayda as a calculated strategic decision rather than a defeat.

The Syrian president stressed that "building a new Syria requires us to focus on our state," while reiterating his central claim that "since the fall of the regime, Israel seeks to dismantle Syria". He clarified that "we are capable of overcoming its attempts" and that the Syrian people will not succumb to external pressures.

Al-Sharaa's nighttime statement comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, as the ceasefire that took effect raises questions about its long-term stability. The withdrawal from As-Suwayda, which had been a stronghold held by the new Syrian administration, is seen as a significant test of al-Sharaa's ability to control the entire country and protect various minorities.

The direct address to the Druze community indicates the Syrian president's concern about further erosion of government control in sensitive areas. The Druze in Syria, who constitute a significant minority, found themselves at the center of geopolitical tensions, with various parties attempting to recruit them to their side.

Al-Sharaa's rhetorical aggression toward Israel, combined with promises to protect the Druze, indicates the complexity of the security situation in Syria. The Syrian president is trying to balance the need to maintain delicate power relations with various minorities against the desire to present himself as a strong leader capable of facing external challenges.

Al-Sharaa's nighttime statement reflects the complex reality in which he operates, as he attempts to establish his rule while dealing with internal and external pressures. The allegations against Israel, together with promises to the Druze, indicate the attempt to maintain a delicate balance in a country still recovering from the upheavals of recent years.

Photo: Stephanie Lecocq/Pool via AP