Syria: Abu Mohammed Al-Golani accuses Israel of false pretexts as reconstruction takes focus
Abu Mohammed al-Golani speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus Sunday Dec. 8, 2024. Golani, a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance, leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the country's future. He calls himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre.(AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, popularly known as Abu Mohammed Al-Golani, has accused Israel of fabricating justifications for its recent destructive attacks in Syria but emphasized his disinterest in further conflicts as the nation embarks on rebuilding after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime.
Abu Mohammed Al-Golani, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) group, oversaw the ousting of Assad last week, ending five decades of Assad family rule.
Since then, Israel has moved into a demilitarized zone in Syria established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, including parts of Mount Hermon near Damascus, and conducted strikes on Syria’s weapons stockpiles.
While Israel described the incursion as a “temporary measure” for border security, its actions have drawn widespread condemnation from Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan.
In an interview with the pro-opposition Syria TV, Al-Sharaa criticized Israel’s actions, stating, “The Israelis have clearly crossed the lines of engagement in Syria, which poses a threat of unwarranted escalation in the region.” He stressed that Syria, after years of war, is prioritizing reconstruction and stability over new confrontations.
Calling for diplomatic solutions, he said, “Uncalculated military adventures” must be avoided to ensure regional security and stability.
On relations with Russia, a key ally during Assad’s rule that recently granted him asylum, Al-Sharaa highlighted the need for cooperation rooted in mutual interests, emphasizing “careful management of international relations” in the current phase.
