Syrian president says Israel creating a ‘theatre of chaos’

Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa has accused Israel of trying to turn Syria into a “theatre of endless chaos” in the wake of Israel Defense Forces strikes on Damascus.

- STEFFIE BANATVALA BEL TREW

In a televised speech yesterday, the Syrian leader promised to protect the country's Druze citizens as government forces withdrew from the southern province of Sweida, where clashes have erupted between Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias. Bedouin clans had fought alongside government forces against the Druze groups.

A ceasefire between Syrian government forces and Druze fighters, mediated by the US and Turkey, appeared to be holding as of yesterday evening. Under the agreement, Druze factions and clerics have been appointed to maintain internal security in Sweida.

“The Israeli intervention, which has consistently targeted our stability and sown discord since the fall of the former regime, now seeks once again to turn our sacred land into a theatre of endless chaos,” Mr al-Sharaa said in a televised address from an undisclosed location.

The violence escalated on Wednesday when Israel hit Damascus with airstrikes, damaging the defence ministry and striking near the presidential palace. Western diplomats were passing near the ministry in an armoured convoy when Israel struck the building, according to two people familiar with the matter, including a Syrian eyewitness. Nobody in the convoy was injured.