"Our problem is not with Israel," Maher Marwan, the new governor of Damascus, told NPR on behalf of new Syrian leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
Following their rapid 11-day takeover of Syria, the leaders of Al-Qaeda affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are looking to consolidate their international legitimacy as the 'new Syria.'
In a meeting with NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi, Marwan said it was "natural" that Israel had concerns about the new Syrian government and that as a result of this "fear," Israel "advanced a little, bombed a little."
Marwan added that the new Syrian administration doesn't "want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel's security or any other country's security." Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) head Hamid Al-Shatri, in Damascus, Syria December 26, 2024 (credit: Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham/Handout via REUTERS)
Going a step further than Julani's previous statements, Marwan called on the United States to facilitate better relations with Israel.
A US official told NPR that the US relayed HTS's message to Israel.
"We want peace, and we do not want to be an opponent to Israel or an opponent to anyone, Marwan concluded.
rggggb on December 27th, 2024 at 13:22 UTC »
Hell yes. Peace should be everyone’s top priority in the region. It would flourish.
avitony on December 27th, 2024 at 11:15 UTC »
Much respect for Syria in wanting peace and putting their citizens first.
barsik_ on December 27th, 2024 at 10:24 UTC »
I wonder how the Iranian government is feeling right now. They have wasted many years and significant funds supporting terrorist and regimes to indirectly combat Israel, while neglecting internal issues. Now, everything is collapsing. First, Hamas, then Hezbollah, Assad, and now the Houthis are to follow into the hands of Yemen’s internationally recognized government with the help of Israel cutting the Houthi's support lines (airfield and ports). And it is all happening so quickly. A year ago, I'd never guess we would witness this unfolding so rapidly.