Former Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stated that recent developments in Syria, following the end of the war in Lebanon, underscore a shared agenda targeting the Axis of Resistance, directly in some cases and indirectly in others.

Lahoud remarked, "More than a decade ago, we asserted that the war on Syria aimed to create a submissive 'New Middle East' serving the Israeli enemy and willing to forfeit its rights and borders. At the time, we were accused of bias."

He questioned the role of extremist groups fighting in Syria, asking, "Where were these takfiri organizations when the war on Gaza erupted? They did not stand with Palestinians or Muslims, not even in a statement."

Lahoud drew parallels between the Resistance in Lebanon and Syria, stating, "Just as the invasion of Lebanon failed, thanks to the heroic resistance fighters, the attempt to control Aleppo will fail due to the steadfastness of the Syrian Arab Army, which has thwarted previous plots."

He further attributed the ongoing challenges to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's refusal to engage with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing the latter as "duplicitous in both actions and words."

"Praise is due to President Assad for choosing confrontation," Lahoud affirmed, adding, "This is the only language understood by tyrants like Erdogan and the Israeli enemy."

Attacks serve 'Israel'

Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh stated that the terrorist attack carried out by large numbers of militants since early Wednesday on the city of Aleppo and its countryside serves "the objectives of the Israeli occupation entity and its sponsors."  

Sabbagh emphasized that Syria has consistently warned of the clear coordination between the Israeli assaults and the offensives launched by terrorist groups against the country.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry claimed on Friday that Ankara "is fulfilling its commitments under the agreement on the de-escalation zone in Idlib. The ministry added that Turkey "attaches great importance to Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty."  

It further noted that "it is crucial for Turkey to avoid another situation of instability and to prevent harm to civilians," highlighting that the recent clashes in northern Syria, following attacks on Syrian army positions in the Idlib and Aleppo countryside, "have led to an undesirable escalation of tensions in the region."