Daijiworld Media Network- Damascus
Damascus, Feb 26: Widespread protests broke out across southern Syria following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent remarks rejecting the presence of Syria’s interim government forces in areas south of Damascus.
During an address on Sunday, Netanyahu declared that Israel “will not allow HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) forces or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus.” He also insisted on the “full demilitarisation of southern Syria,” a statement that has triggered outrage and demonstrations across multiple cities.
Mass demonstrations erupted in Sweida, Daraa, Damascus, and Quneitra, with protesters condemning Netanyahu’s statements as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty. In Damascus, demonstrators gathered outside the United Nations office, demanding an international response to what they termed as “provocative statements.”
Khair Ghazali, a Syrian citizen participating in the protest, stressed the unity of the Syrian people in rejecting foreign interference.
"We are here in front of the United Nations office to send a message rejecting Netanyahu’s statements. As Syrians, we are one people across all regions, sharing the same struggles and aspirations. We are strong enough to solve our own problems. We do not need foreign overseers," he said.
Syrian writer Rami Kousa echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the importance of national sovereignty.
"It is the duty of every Syrian to stand against any attempt to undermine the country’s sovereignty, whether by Israel or any other country trying to impose an occupation-like role," he remarked.
In Sweida, hundreds gathered in the city center, waving Syrian flags and denouncing Netanyahu’s remarks. Protester Hiba Twair asserted that Netanyahu’s statements do not represent the will of the Syrian people.
"Netanyahu’s statements represent only himself. Every region of Syria, whether in the north, east, or south, belongs to Syria alone. We reject any identity other than our Syrian identity," she said.
Firas Al-Haqbani, another demonstrator, voiced his strong opposition to Israeli demands.
"These statements are completely rejected. Jabal al-Arab, Hauran Plain, and Quneitra are home to Syrians whose loyalty is to Syria and Syria alone," he stated.
The protests come amid an escalation of Israeli military operations in southern Syria, with reports suggesting that Israeli forces have expanded their presence near the border. This growing tension has fueled concerns of further conflict, as Syria’s interim government continues efforts to consolidate control over its territory.
In a concluding statement at the Syrian National Dialogue Conference on Tuesday, Syria’s interim government reaffirmed the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The statement rejected any form of partition and condemned the presence of Israeli troops in Syrian territory as a “violation of sovereignty,” demanding their immediate and unconditional withdrawal.
With tensions running high, the situation in southern Syria remains volatile, as Syrians continue to push back against what they perceive as external interference in their country’s affairs.