Syria's President Accuses Israel of Stoking Tensions, Seeks Golan Pullback

Key developments

In an interview at the Doha Forum with Christiane Amanpour, Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of escalating regional tensions and manufacturing external threats to deflect attention from what he described as "horrifying massacres" in Gaza. He said Israeli leaders repeatedly export crises to other countries and use security pretexts — including references to the October 7 attacks — to justify expanded military action. Al-Sharaa criticised frequent Israeli air strikes and ground operations across Syria since the fall of the previous regime in December 2024, citing hundreds killed, the killing of at least 13 people in Beit Jinn, advances into Syrian territory, checkpoints and the detention of Syrians inside Israel.

Political stance and domestic agenda

Al-Sharaa said his government has pursued de-escalation and urged Israel to return to positions held before the fall of the former regime and to respect the 1974 Disengagement Accord governing the Golan Heights, warning that replacing it with new arrangements could destabilise the region. He rejected characterisations of the uprising as solely a Sunni movement, described steps toward national reconciliation including wide pardons, acknowledged recent sectarian violence and said Syria will be governed by law. Al-Sharaa also defended women's rights under his administration, promised institutional strengthening and said parliamentary elections will be held within five years of the March Constitutional Declaration, stressing that leaders must win public support. as reported by Al Jazeera

This story has also been reported by: France 24