Syria’s President Blasts Israel: “They Want to Tear the Country Apart”

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa launched a fiery attack on Israel hours after a ceasefire was reached in the war-torn Druze stronghold of Suwayda, blaming Jerusalem for attempting to destabilize Syria and divide its people.

Speaking in a late-night televised address, al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, insisted that protecting Syria’s Druze population remains a national priority and vowed to prosecute anyone who harmed them.

“Since the collapse of the previous regime, Israel has been actively working to break Syria apart,” al-Sharaa declared. “Their actions aim to turn our land into a theater of chaos.”

The remarks came just hours after Syrian government forces began withdrawing from Suwayda, following several days of bloody clashes and mounting international pressure. The president accused Israel of worsening the crisis with military strikes and direct intervention.

In a direct appeal to the Druze community, al-Sharaa said: “You are an integral part of this nation. Syria will never become a land of division or discord. We will defend your rights and freedoms as our own, and reject all foreign attempts to pull you away from your homeland.”

The ceasefire agreement, brokered with the help of local Druze leaders, mandates the withdrawal of Syrian military units from Suwayda and transfers responsibility for local security to the region’s own leaders.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deal, which he said includes “specific commitments” from all sides aimed at ending the bloodshed.

Despite the withdrawal, sporadic gunfire was reported, though officials said it was likely isolated and not indicative of a breakdown in the ceasefire.

Al-Sharaa blamed “lawless militias” and “agents of chaos” for inciting the violence, saying they refused dialogue and fueled long-standing local disputes for personal gain. He claimed Syrian government forces intervened only to restore order and ensure civilian safety. He further accused Israel of bombing civilian and governmental infrastructure to derail stabilization efforts. “This is not a playground for foreign conspiracies,” he said. “We chose not to escalate, to prevent civil war. But we know exactly who benefits from unrest.”

Reports indicate that the Syrian units leaving Suwayda are largely composed of former jihadist fighters integrated into the national army.