Jumblatt warns against Israeli sabotage scheme in Syria
3 Min Read
The former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party in Lebanon confirms that he had requested a meeting with Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa.
-
Lebanese leader Walid Jumblatt speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sunday, March 2, 2025 (AP)
"Israel" seeks to exploit sectarian divisions for its own interests and to fragment the region, pointed out the former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party in Lebanon, Walid Jumblatt, warning against Israeli plans in Syria.
On Sunday, Jumblatt emphasized that the Israeli occupation entity is pursuing a sabotage project in Syria that threatens Arab national security, stressing that "Israel’s" biblical expansionist project has no borders and aims to extend its influence across the entire region.
He urged "the free people of Jabal al-Arab to be wary of Israeli schemes in Syria," highlighting the role of key Syrian Arab figures in confronting "Israel’s" plans for southern Syria.
The former Progressive Socialist Party leader stressed that Arab nations would not be spared from destruction and fragmentation, calling on the Cairo summit to take heed of these threats.
Amid recent developments in Syria, Jumblatt announced his intention to visit Damascus once again and confirmed that he had requested a meeting with Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa.
On Saturday, the town of Jaramana in the Damascus countryside witnessed security tensions, as clashes erupted between General Security forces and local gunmen from the minority Druze community.
Since Islamist-led factions led by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December, clashes and shootings have erupted in multiple areas, with security officials attributing the violence to armed supporters of the former government.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that "one person was killed and nine others from Jaramana were injured during clashes between security forces affiliated with the new authority and local gunmen tasked with protecting the area."
According to the observatory, tensions escalated on Friday when a dispute led to the killing of a security forces member and the injury of another in a shooting at a checkpoint in Jaramana.
Syria’s official news agency, SANA, cited Colonel Hossam al-Tahhan, the local head of security, who claimed that the checkpoint had stopped Ministry of Defense personnel entering the area to visit their relatives.
After surrendering their weapons, they were assaulted, and "their vehicle was directly targeted by gunfire," resulting in casualties, al-Tahhan said, cautioning that such incidents could have serious implications for "Syria's security, stability, and unity."
On Saturday, Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz warned Syria’s new rulers not to "harm the Druze," stating that the military had been ordered "to prepare and to send a firm and clear warning: if the regime harms the Druze, it will suffer the consequences."
His remarks followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand last Sunday for the "complete demilitarisation of southern Syria," including Sweida province, home to a significant Druze Arab population.
It is noteworthy that the same day al-Assad was ousted, "Israel" announced that its troops were entering a UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Syrian Golan Heights.
Read more: "Israel" actively lobbying US to maintain Syria weak, divided: Reuters
