Protests have erupted across southern Syria following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks rejecting the presence of Syria’s interim government forces south of Damascus.
Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israel would not permit Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces or the new Syrian army to operate in the area.
He insisted on the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria, a statement that sparked widespread outrage, according to Xinhua news agency.
Demonstrations took place in several cities, including Damascus, Sweida, Daraa, and Quneitra. In the Syrian capital, protesters gathered outside the United Nations office, demanding an international response to what they described as Netanyahu’s provocative statements.
Many expressed strong opposition to what they see as an infringement on Syria’s sovereignty.
Khair Ghazali, a Syrian citizen, said the Syrian people firmly reject any foreign intervention. He stressed that Syrians are capable of handling their own affairs and do not need external forces dictating terms.
He described the protests as a united message of defiance against Netanyahu’s position.
Syrian writer Rami Kousa also criticised Netanyahu’s stance, calling it an attempt to undermine Syria’s national sovereignty.
He said it was the duty of Syrians to stand against any effort to impose external control over their land, whether by Israel or any other foreign power.
In Sweida, hundreds of people rallied in the city centre, waving Syrian flags and denouncing Netanyahu’s comments.
Protester Hiba Twair dismissed Netanyahu’s position, saying that Syria belongs to its own people and no foreign leader has the right to dictate its future. She insisted that all regions of the country, regardless of location, remain Syrian territory and identity.
Firas Al-Haqbani, another demonstrator in Sweida, echoed these sentiments. He rejected Israel’s demands and reaffirmed the loyalty of people in Jabal al-Arab, Hauran Plain, and Quneitra to Syria. He insisted that no external force should interfere in the country’s internal matters.
The protests come amid increased Israeli military operations in southern Syria. Reports suggest that Israeli forces have expanded their presence near the border, raising concerns of further escalation.
Syria’s interim government has been working to consolidate control over its territory, and Netanyahu’s remarks have fuelled fears of heightened conflict in the region.
In a statement issued after the Syrian National Dialogue Conference on Tuesday, the interim government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
It rejected any attempt at partition and condemned the presence of Israeli troops on Syrian land. The government called for their immediate and unconditional withdrawal, denouncing their presence as a violation of international law.
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