Syrians protest over Netanyahu's call for a demilitarised south
Syrians have taken to the streets in southern Syria to protest over Israel’s expansion into the country and its prime minister’s statements that Syria's armed forces cannot move south of the capital.
In an address on Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu said he will not allow the forces of Syria's new rulers to “enter the area south of Damascus”.
“Take note: We will not allow HTS forces or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus,” he said, referring to Syria’s new government and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, the main former rebel group.
“We demand full demilitarisation of southern Syria from troops of the new Syrian regime in the Quneitra, Daraa and Sweida provinces,” he added
The statement was met with widespread anger across Syria, particularly in the south following weeks of Israeli advances and occupation into the territory.
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“I think that he’s an opportunist and he is trying to take advantage of this moment in which he seems to have [US President Donald] Trump’s ear, along with the support of extremists in the American administration to weaken the new Syria,” Robin Yassin-Kassab, an expert on the Syrian conflict, told Middle East Eye.
‘Syria is not for division’
In his speech, Netanyahu made a specific mention of Syria’s Druze community, living predominantly in Sweida, in a familiar attempt to woo support from the minority.
“We will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria,” he said.
While his words echo his government’s attempts to “strengthen” ties with religious groups they deem “friendly” in the region, the feeling has so far not been mutual from Syria’s Druze.
Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the leader of the community in Syria, has previously condemned Israel’s invasion of Syrian land, which started after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December.
“Druze people want to remain in their lands with privacy, but this has become an international matter,” Hijri said in December. “The invasion is something that should be addressed by all countries.”
According to Yassin-Kassab, Netanyahu is “obviously trying to split up Syria. It is really mischievous, him talking about protecting the Druze.
“He’s creating a situation that doesn’t exist,” he added.
Gathering in public squares in the provinces mentioned by Netanyahu, Syrians expressed their firm rejection of any demilitarisation on Monday.
“Netanyahu, you pig, Syria is not for division,” they chanted in Daraa, along with “Syria is free, Israel get out!”
Druze protesters meanwhile held a demonstration in Sweida, carrying banners that rejected Israel's encroachment in their region.
“The people of Sweida are part of Syria and will accept nothing but the Syrian state. The Syrian law is their protector and the guarantor of their rights,” read one placard.
'The idea that the Syrian army will not be allowed to deploy south of Damascus is extremely appalling...Of course, the Syrian government cannot accept that'
- Robin Yassin-Kassab, writer on Syria
In Quneitra, meanwhile, people held up signs emphasising their belonging to Syria and rejection of any Israeli occupation.
Most of the Quneitra province has been occupied by Israel since 1967.
“The idea that the Syrian army will not be allowed to deploy south of Damascus is extremely appalling,” Yassin-Kassab said.
“Of course, the Syrian government cannot accept that, and it puts them in a really difficult situation. It suggests that Israel is going to treat the Syrian army as it treats Hezbollah.”
The Israeli army has been occasionally bombing southern Lebanon since its ceasefire with Hezbollah in November, claiming to be attacking targets belonging to the Lebanese group.
In Syria, Israel quickly bombed countless army bases, vehicles and equipment from the moment the Assad government fell.
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