Syrians in Suwayda, Aleppo decry Netanyahu's interference in affairs
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The demonstrators called for legal action before relevant international bodies against "Israel’s" hostile statements, which they said constituted a violation of international laws.
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Syrians lift placards as they demonstrate in the central Karama Square of the southern city of Suwayda, on February 25, 2025, in rejection of statements made by "Israel's" premier on the weekend (AFP)
A large demonstration took place Tuesday in the al-Karama Square in central Suwayda, Syria, with the participation of professional, trade, and local community groups, in condemnation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent statements regarding southern Syria and in rejection of any interference in the country's internal affairs.
Netanyahu said on Sunday that southern Syria must be completely demilitarized.
"We will not allow forces from the HTS organisation or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus," he said, referring to the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December.
"We demand the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria, including the Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces," the Israeli premier declared at a military ceremony.
"Likewise, we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria," he added.
The demonstrators on Tuesday affirmed their “rejection of all separatist and partition projects,” calling on all local and national entities to “stand against the Israeli agenda being promoted.”
مظاهرة حاشدة قبل قليل وسط مدينة السويداء تنديداً بالتصريحات الإسرائيلية الأخيرة ورفضاً للتدخل بالشؤون الداخلية لسوريا.#سانا pic.twitter.com/jw7Xf55I7p
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@SanaAjel) February 25, 2025
They also emphasized that “the people of Jabal al-Arab are Syrian citizens, landowners, and an inseparable part of Syria’s social fabric,” asserting that they “are not a minority, do not need protection from external forces, and will accept nothing less than a state of law that safeguards the land and the Syrian people.”
The participants further underscored the importance of “establishing full state sovereignty over all Syrian territories and defending them against any external aggression.”
The demonstrators called for legal action before relevant international bodies against "Israel’s" hostile statements, which they said constituted a violation of international laws, UN principles, and the disengagement agreement.
Similarly, the city of Aleppo witnessed a public gathering in Saadallah al-Jabiri Square in protest against Netanyahu’s recent remarks.
تجمع لأهالي مدينة #حلب في ساحة سعد الله الجابري رفضاً للتصريحات الإسرائيلية الأخيرة ودعماً لوحدة الأراضي السورية.#سانا pic.twitter.com/coNk00oQkb
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@SanaAjel) February 25, 2025
On his part, Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz pointed out that the occupation military will remain on the peak of Mount Hermon in southern Syria and in a buffer zone “for an indefinite period of time to protect our communities and thwart any threat.”
He confirmed that the Israeli military has built two posts on the mountain and another seven in the buffer zone “to ensure defense and offense against any challenge.”
After the ousting of al-Assad in December, the Israeli occupation military seized the UN-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory, which was set up under a 1974 ceasefire agreement.
Syria’s new authorities and UN officials have called for "Israel" to withdraw its troops from the area.
Read more: Calls to expel Israeli journalist, reject Netanyahu’s plan: Syria
