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Syrian Army’s Anti-Israel Chants Raise Tensions Amid Peace Negotiations
Syrian troops were documented chanting jihadi declarations against Israel during a military parade in Damascus on Tuesday, prompting a stark warning from Israel’s Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, who posted on social media that “War is inevitable.”
The military parade, attended by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, featured soldiers marching through Damascus while chanting aggressive anti-Israel slogans. Fox News Digital verified that the Arabic chants included: “Gaza, Gaza, our rallying cry, Victory and steadfastness, night & day. We rise against you, enemy, we rise. From mountains of fire we make our way. From my blood I forge my ammunition. From your blood, rivers will flow.”
The display comes at a sensitive time as the Trump administration works to broker a security arrangement between Syria and Israel. Al-Sharaa met with former President Trump at the White House last month, signaling potential diplomatic progress in a historically tense relationship.
In response to the military parade, Chikli offered a blistering assessment of the Syrian regime. “The harrowing testimonies coming from our Druze brothers about what is happening in Sweida leave no doubt,” Chikli told Fox News Digital. “A regime that kills like ISIS, rapes like ISIS, and destroys like ISIS everything that is not itself — it is ISIS, even if it wears a suit and plays basketball.”
Despite these tensions, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack presented a different perspective at a Jerusalem Post conference in Washington. He claimed Damascus is not interested in aggression toward Israel and highlighted that Syria has joined anti-ISIS coalition efforts, something “unthinkable not long ago.”
“After Oct. 7, Israel doesn’t trust anyone,” Barrack noted, adding, “That’s why we’ve offered to serve as a peacekeeping force. Verification replaces trust.” He suggested that the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, could potentially be expanded to include Syria.
The core issue at stake involves a 400-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria. Israel says it seized this territory preemptively to prevent militants from moving into the area following the rise of Islamist insurgents. Israeli forces regularly conduct operations in this region, including a raid last month that resulted in at least 13 deaths.
Al-Sharaa acknowledged ongoing negotiations during a conference in Qatar, stating, “There are currently negotiations, and the United States is participating and engaged in those negotiations.” The Syrian president has demanded that Israel withdraw its forces from Syria and recommit to a 1974 truce agreement.
Al-Sharaa’s background has raised concerns within the international community. The U.S. recently scrapped a $10 million bounty for his arrest on terrorism charges related to his alleged al-Qaeda membership. When questioned about this history at the Doha Forum, he challenged the definition of terrorism, stating, “Judging people as terrorists needs to be proven” and asserting that he fought “honorably.”
The situation is further complicated by Iran’s influence in the region. Dan Diker, president of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, told Fox News Digital that “Iran’s Hezbollah proxy and associated cells and groups are doing everything to torpedo a security arrangement between the al-Sharaa government and the Israeli government.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently visited soldiers wounded in clashes with Syrian militants, where he emphasized Israel’s post-October 7 determination to protect its borders. “What we expect Syria to do, of course, is to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone area,” Netanyahu stated. “We hold these territories to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel, and that is what obligates us.”
The conflicting signals from Syria’s military display and ongoing diplomatic efforts highlight the complex challenges facing any potential security arrangement between the two long-standing adversaries, with both sides maintaining firm positions on their security requirements and territorial concerns.
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7 Comments
This is a complex and sensitive situation that requires nuanced diplomacy. While the Syrian regime’s actions are concerning, it’s important to avoid further escalation and find a path forward that promotes stability and security for all.
This is a concerning development, as the Syrian regime’s anti-Israel rhetoric and military posturing could escalate tensions in the region. It’s crucial for all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomatic solutions to resolve longstanding conflicts.
The Syrian regime’s provocative actions are a concerning challenge to the fragile peace process. All parties must remain committed to finding a diplomatic resolution that addresses the legitimate security concerns of Israel and the region as a whole.
The Israeli official’s warning is understandable given the inflammatory rhetoric and military posturing by the Syrian regime. However, it’s crucial that all sides exercise restraint and continue to pursue a diplomatic resolution to this longstanding conflict.
This is a concerning development that highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region. It’s crucial that the international community remains engaged and supports efforts to find a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means.
The Syrian military’s provocative actions are deeply concerning and threaten to undermine the fragile progress made in the peace process. All parties must act with restraint and prioritize diplomatic efforts to resolve this complex conflict.
The Syrian military’s chanting of aggressive slogans against Israel is a worrying sign. While the diplomatic process should continue, this display of military might and hostility is a clear escalation that needs to be addressed carefully by all involved.