Posted on 12/14/2024 9:26:49 PM PST by SeekAndFind
The new Syrian administration has "no intention of confronting Israel," said the body's head Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, on Saturday.
"We are not looking to engage in a conflict with Israel and cannot bear such a battle," indicated al-Sharaa, who is also the leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that managed, as part of an alliance, to capture most of the Syrian territory and lead to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last week.
Earlier, the Associated Press reported that Syria's interim government is urging the UN Security Council to take measures to force "Israel" to halt its attacks on Syrian territory and withdraw from northern areas it has entered, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Al-Sharaa claimed on Saturday that the new Syrian administration has no hostilities with the Iranian people, adding, however, that the toppling of al-Assad's government was "a victory over the dangerous Iranian project in the region."
Commenting on the Russian presence in Syria, al-Sharaa said the new administration could have targeted Russian bases in Syria but chose to give Russia an opportunity to reconsider its relationship with the Syrian people.
He also confirmed that the new Syrian administration is in contact with Western embassies and is holding discussions with Britain about reinstating its representation in the Syrian capital Damascus.
Elsewhere, al-Sharaa said the news Syrian state "should not be governed with a revolutionary mindset, and we need laws and institutions [to this end]."
This comes at a time when the Israeli occupation military continues to expand its occupation of Syrian territory, taking over the entirety of the Golan region and nine towns in the southern countryside of Damascus, positioning its forces just 20 km away from the capital.
The Israeli military has also launched nearly 300 strikes on Syrian military assets, destroying the majority of the Syrian Air Force and air defenses, which remained inactive and unable to defend against the aggression.
Meanwhile, Fahd al-Masri, the head of the Syrian National Salvation Front and a spokesperson for the Free Syrian Army, told the Israeli newspaper Maariv, “We do not want a war with Israel.”
Last week, al-Masri spoke with Baruch Yedid, the Arab affairs commentator of i24NEWS, thanking "Israel" for its "contribution" to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Without the blows you inflicted on Hezbollah and Iran, we could not free Syria," al-Masri said. He added, "Thank you, Israel. This is an Israeli victory, our brothers and neighbors."
In the same context, Yedid cited Abdul Jalil al-Saeed, described as the "former deputy Mufti of Syria," expressing optimism about potential "relations" between Syria and "Israel".
"I hope to see your correspondent reporting from the heart of Damascus," al-Saeed said.
In a special interview aired during the main news broadcast on Thursday evening, al-Saeed discussed the situation in Syria in the aftermath of the collapse of al-Assad's government, the country's uncertain future, and its relations with "Israel".
He said that “our northern neighbor, Turkiye, considers Israel a significant, even central, factor in al-Assad’s downfall.”
Al-Saeed added, "Leaders of the so-called Axis of Resistance in the Arab world believed October 7 would be their Noah’s Ark, only to find out it was their Titanic, sinking them instead."
He further claimed that “the Arab world views Israel as having shifted the course of events after betting that it could not sustain the burden of a prolonged military campaign.”
When asked by i24NEWS whether this could pave the way for peace between Syria and "Israel", al-Saeed replied that he “does not deny it” and expressed hope for the expansion of the Israeli channel's broadcasts into Syria.
“You could become a bridge for genuine peace between nations,” al-Saeed stated. “Perhaps you can attract a Syrian audience, and I hope to see your correspondent reporting from the heart of Damascus.”
i24NEWS reported what it called an “exclusive documentation of rebel voices from Damascus through their correspondent on the ground.”
Aired a few days after the collapse of the Syrian government, the report included footage described as part of a special feature to be broadcast during the main news bulletin on Sunday.
We cannot bear such a battle [with Israel]
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No, you cannot. You do not want to be the subject of the prophecy of Amos.
Largely absurd.
Muslim leaders geographically close to Israel have never, ever been able to make noises about friendly relations. Yassar Arafat ran into the same problem. The extremists are no fewer now than they ever have been and anyone making these kinds of noises will not be alive very long. Arafat went to negotiations and was offered everything he asked for and in the end had to say no or he would wake up with his throat cut.
Nothing has changed. These various figures in Syria will maneuver and find themselves in conflict with each other and it will be Libya all over again. None of those groups will be able to base their position on friendliness with Israel.
are not looking to engage in conflict with ‘Israel’: Syrian Administration Leader Al-Sharaa....
....at this particular moment....
[snip] Al-Sharaa claimed on Saturday that the new Syrian administration has no hostilities with the Iranian people, adding, however, that the toppling of al-Assad's government was "a victory over the dangerous Iranian project in the region."
Commenting on the Russian presence in Syria, al-Sharaa said the new administration could have targeted Russian bases in Syria but chose to give Russia an opportunity to reconsider its relationship with the Syrian people....
Last week, al-Masri spoke with Baruch Yedid, the Arab affairs commentator of i24NEWS, thanking "Israel" for its "contribution" to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"Without the blows you inflicted on Hezbollah and Iran, we could not free Syria," al-Masri said. He added, "Thank you, Israel. This is an Israeli victory, our brothers and neighbors." ... "I hope to see your correspondent reporting from the heart of Damascus," al-Saeed said...
He said that "our northern neighbor, Turkiye, considers Israel a significant, even central, factor in al-Assad's downfall."
Al-Saeed added, "Leaders of the so-called Axis of Resistance in the Arab world believed October 7 would be their Noah's Ark, only to find out it was their Titanic, sinking them instead." [/snip]
This guy is going to be whacked by his own people for speaking such heresy.
Hopefully this about- face will become permanent. It will help Syria tremendously and be good for the entire region
And hoping that he’s not murdered by the Islamonazis running Syria
They are going to have a whole host of their own internal problems. There is no assurance they will even end up in charge. What does it take to run a country? They have to collect taxes, pay civil employees, keep the lights on, keep the drinking water safe, manage imports and exports, maintain the banking system and money supply, each region or city or town will need civil order policing, and the country has at least 6 strong tribes capable of defending their own little turfs. Whatever coalition they have now could fall apart, not to mention those who aren’t part of the coalition such as the democratic forces and the Druze and Kurds and Christians. And we should not let these crazies run roughshod over the Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities though I am not advocating direct intervention we (and Israel) can certainly help with logistical and material support for their self defense.
Just because you captured the castle doesn’t mean you can run the country. They have a lot of work to do internally. They can hate Israel all they want but conflict with Israel is not in their interest at all. Not to mention the Druze who actually want to join with Israel. Israel should offer them protection at a minimum. Maybe annex those regions in time if all parties (Druze and Israelis) want that. UN has no say if the Druze want to secede and join another country who is to stop them? Though that is the sort of thing that could cause them to engage in conflict. But it’s a bad idea to try. These fellas are from the north, and the Druze are in the south. The Kurds are in the north and don’t seem to be interested in these fellas or the Turks who back them. So as far as direct conflict is concerned they have a lot of vulnerable flanks. They should give up all ideological nonsense and focus on running a country.
Tell that to the jihadis dancing around, ululating and waving rifles over their heads. A bit late to call for calm.
“the new administration could have targeted Russian bases in Syria but chose to give Russia an opportunity to reconsider its relationship with the Syrian people.”
You caught that too. Looks like they might let the Russians stay. We shall see.
Pretty amazing thing for an Arab to say publicly. They respect strength, and Israel has demonstrated that attacking them carries very serious consequences. At this point, peaceful gestures to Israel are just pragmatic.
HTS at least has some experience running the Idlib province. Ditto for the Kurds, over in Eastern Syria. Al-Sharaa would be risking his neck big time, but, he could immediately offer to recognize Israel in return for Israel ceasing attacks on ground HTS controls. My guess is that the Druze could possibly be brought into such an alliance with HTS and the Kurds, as well, though some Druze have also made overtures to Israel.
Much depends on how pragmatic HTS really is.
Just a couple of days ago, they said they were going to take Jerusalem.
At least not until they can clean up the mess they’ve made and rearm.
“Much depends on how pragmatic HTS really is.”
If anyone should be worried, it should be Russia. For HTS, their best play is to move north and east towards Turkey and Ukraine. Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia won’t tolerate a radical move and will put an uprising down very quickly.
With Turkey’s support, HTS will have all the resources it needs to create their caliphate in Northwest Iran and upwards. For Israel and the US, this could lead to opportunity to overthrow Iran’s mullocracy. The one which Obama solidified.
Translation: “Israel, please don’t wipe us out.”
That he speaks the word “Israel” is a good sign.
Most Islamists don’t.
The new regime is keeping the port, but the Russian ships are long gone. Any statements about the Russian evac from either side is diplomatic face-saving. That, and the rest of the quotes, suggests that these jihadist crazies have learned from others' mistakes.
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