The message that the new Syrian government gave to Israel

Last Updated on December 29, 2024 6:18 am

The governor of the Syrian capital, Damascus, Maher Marwan, said that they want good relations with the occupying Israel.

Ahmed al-Sarar, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), made these remarks in an interview with NPR on Friday (December 27). The Times of Israel reports.

He said that after the rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad, Israel became afraid of the border, which is a natural phenomenon. For this reason, Israeli troops entered Syria, advanced and carried out some bombings.

Stating that there is no fear of Israel, the Damascus governor said, “Our problem is not with Israel. There are many who want to coexist with those who want to live with them. Israel wants peace. They do not want any conflict. We also want peace. We cannot be a rival to anyone, including Israel.”

Meanwhile, former President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia on December 8 after the rebels advanced on the capital Damascus. Soon after, Israeli forces captured the rest of the Syrian Golan Heights. The occupying forces also entered the buffer zone on the border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that their troops would remain in the newly occupied Syrian territories on a temporary basis. However, Israel has not left the Golan Heights since it partially captured them in the 1967 war. At that time, they also called the occupation temporary. On the contrary, they have taken control of the rest of the highest point in the region.