In a nationally televised speech Wednesday evening, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa condemned recent Israeli airstrikes and accused the Israeli government of attempting to destabilize Syria by inflaming internal divisions, particularly in the wake of armed clashes in Suwayda.
Sharaa said the attacks were part of a long-standing effort by Israel to exploit sectarian rifts and obstruct Syria’s path to reconstruction. “This entity [Israel] continues to seek chaos on our land,” he said, “trying to break our national unity and weaken our ability to rebuild.”
Preserving Unity Over Escalation
Addressing the recent fighting in Suwayda province between local armed groups, including Druze factions, and other tribal communities, the president emphasized that the government stepped in “with full determination” to halt the violence and prevent it from spiraling into civil war.
Sharaa said the government faced a stark choice: launch a full-scale military response to suppress unrest, risking civilian harm and regional instability, or allow for a local solution rooted in dialogue. “We chose to give the Druze elders and community leaders space to return to reason,” he said, adding that the alternative would have been “a devastating war on the backs of our Druze citizens.”
The president affirmed that Syria remains committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all communities, including the Druze, whom he described as “an integral part of the Syrian fabric.” He warned against any efforts to drag minority communities into foreign agendas or deepen internal divisions.
Response to Israeli Attacks
The president accused Israel of launching expanded attacks on government and civilian infrastructure to undermine recent stabilization efforts in Suwayda. He confirmed that international mediation— including American, Arab and Turkish efforts—helped prevent broader escalation after the strikes.
“This intervention spared the region from an unknown fate,” he said. “We are not afraid of war. We’ve spent our lives defending this country. But we will not sacrifice Syria’s unity and the safety of its people for the sake of chaos and destruction.”
Path Forward and Accountability
Sharaa announced that local factions and Druze sheikhs would now be tasked with maintaining order in Suwayda, under close state oversight. He described the move as a calculated measure to avoid wider conflict while preserving national integrity.
He also stressed that the government would hold accountable any group or individual that violated the rights of Druze citizens during recent unrest. “They are under the protection of the state,” he said. “The law and justice guarantee the rights of all.”
Calling for national unity and collective responsibility, he urged Syrians to “stand together above all individual or narrow interests” and focus on rebuilding. “Unity is our weapon, hard work is our path, and our will is the foundation for Syria’s future.”
