The transitional Syrian president, Ahmad al-Shara, stated that the unification of Syria after years of conflict “should not be achieved through bloodshed and military force,” rejecting any notion of partition and accusing Israel of interfering in the southern region.
During a discussion with various leaders from Idlib province, which included ministers and politicians, he remarked late Saturday into Sunday: “We have toppled the regime in the battle for the liberation of Syria, and we now face another challenge in unifying the country, which must not involve violence or military action.” He emphasized the need for a mechanism for understanding after exhausting years of war.
Al-Shara further explained, “I don’t foresee any real risks of division in Syria; such a scenario is impossible.” He added, “Certain parties are attempting to become stronger through regional powers, such as Israel, but this is exceedingly difficult and unattainable.”
In his speech, al-Shara acknowledged that there have been “abuses by all sides” in Sweida, stating, “Some members of security and the army in Syria have also committed transgressions,” affirming his condemnation of these actions and stressing that “the state is obligated to hold accountable all those who have violated rights from all involved parties.”
He continued, “Israel is intervening directly in Sweida, seeking to weaken the state overall or to create a pretext for involvement in the current policies in the southern region.”
Al-Shara also addressed ongoing talks between Syrian authorities and the Kurdish administration that governs significant areas in the northeast of the country. He declared, “An agreement will be reached; we are currently discussing the mechanisms for its implementation.” He noted that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have expressed their readiness to enact this agreement but sometimes give mixed signals on the ground that contradict their statements during negotiations and in the media.
He expressed hope to avoid military conflict with Kurdish forces if efforts to integrate their self-administration in northeastern Syria within the state’s framework collapse. He mentioned that Turkey and the U.S., the two primary powers backing the integration plan for the oil-rich northeastern region into the state, desire a peaceful resolution.
Al-Shara remarked that those advocating for division are “dreamers,” asserting that often such fantasies lead their proponents to despair. He added, “The factors for division are absent and impossible in Syria, and the Syrian society is not amenable to fragmentation.”
He insisted that the country will not relinquish any portion of its territory.
Suicide Bombing
The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that a suicide bomber detonated himself in Aleppo, northern Syria, yesterday, using an explosive belt, resulting in his death but no other casualties. An unnamed security source noted that the explosion occurred near a bakery in the al-Meisr neighborhood of the city.
Earlier, a bomb exploded in a vehicle in Damascus on Saturday without causing injuries, according to official Syrian media. The Syrian news agency (SANA) noted hearing an explosion in the Mezzeh area, a prestigious district in Damascus that houses embassies and United Nations offices.
Subsequently, SANA reported the internal security chief for Damascus, Major General Osama Mohammed Khair Ataka, stating, “The explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device placed inside an old car that had been parked for an extended period.”