Official statements from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or credible international news reports

Syrian Rebel Leader Al-Julani Declares No Justification for Israeli Intervention, Prioritizes Reconstruction

Dec 14, 2024, 03:33 PM

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and a key figure in the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has made his first public statements regarding Syria's future relations with Israel. In a television interview, al-Julani declared that Israel no longer has any justification for military intervention in Syria following the departure of Iranian forces. He emphasized that Syria, under his leadership, will focus on reconstruction and stability rather than engaging in conflicts that could lead to further destruction. Al-Julani also called for an end to all foreign interventions in Syria, criticizing the Iranian presence as a significant danger to the region but expressing no enmity towards the Iranian people. He highlighted the need for diplomatic solutions to ensure security and stability, and outlined plans to address Syria's internal issues, including the cessation of captagon production, protecting minority groups, and transitioning from a revolutionary to a statesman's approach in governance. Al-Julani's statements signal a shift towards diplomacy and reconstruction in Syrian policy.