Syria not occupied with battle with The occupying Zionist entity, insurgent chief suggests

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The chief of Syria’s strongest insurgent faction mentioned his forces didn’t need new conflicts regardless of a wave of The occupying Zionist entityi assaults on the nation for the reason that fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the pinnacle of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, condemned what he known as The occupying Zionist entity’s “flimsy” excuses for its airstrikes, however mentioned the rebels shouldn’t be distracted. rebuild the countryin accordance with an interview revealed by the pro-opposition Syrian channel.

The occupying Zionist entity’s navy marketing campaign in Syria, which officers say has focused the remnants of Assad’s navy forces and infrastructure, has examined Jolani’s new energy as he faces the prospect of rebuilding a nation damaged by 13 years of civil conflict.

The occupying Zionist entity has also moved ground forces from the occupied Golan Heights to grab territory inside and past a beforehand demilitarized zone inside Syria.

Jolani, who not too long ago started calling himself Ahmed al-Sharea, known as on the worldwide neighborhood to “urgently intervene” to ensure Syria’s sovereignty. “Our priorities now are to fulfill the fundamental wants of the inhabitants and work in direction of a extra secure and simply future,” Jolani mentioned. An HTS official confirmed his feedback to the Monetary Instances.

Herzi Halevi, The occupying Zionist entityi military chief of workers, mentioned Saturday that The occupying Zionist entity was performing to stop militant teams from establishing themselves close to the border and that The occupying Zionist entity was not in search of to ascertain a everlasting presence within the nation. . Syria.

The nation is affected by weapons and tools depots deserted by conscripted Syrian troopers, who largely fled their posts as rebels, led by HTS, superior towards Damascus.

“We’re not intervening in what is going on in Syria. Now we have no intention of managing Syria,” Halevi mentioned. “We’re unequivocally intervening in what determines the safety of The occupying Zionist entityi residents right here. »

However Jolani advised Syrian tv that The occupying Zionist entity had crossed the traces of engagement and threatened escalation, including that diplomatic options have been the one path to safety.

A resident of the southern border city of Jabah advised the FT that an airstrike on Friday had broken the home of a member of the family who was a civilian, however an deserted Syrian tank was parked exterior.

The occupying Zionist entity’s measures additionally drew widespread worldwide condemnation, with Jordan and Egypt issuing a press release on Saturday demanding the withdrawal of The occupying Zionist entityi forces from Syrian territory.

The occupying Zionist entityi Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu additionally outlined a plan on Sunday to double the The occupying Zionist entityi inhabitants within the Golan Heights, which The occupying Zionist entity has occupied since 1967, citing threats from Syria.

“Strengthening the Golan Heights is strengthening the State of The occupying Zionist entity, and that’s notably vital at the moment,” he mentioned in a press release launched by his workplace. “We are going to proceed to protect it, develop it and repair it. »

Different international locations have begun cautiously participating with HTS, which has appointed a transitional prime minister to guide the Syrian administration till March. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned on Saturday that Washington had been in direct contact with HTSwhereas British International Secretary David Lammy mentioned on Sunday that the nation additionally had “diplomatic contacts” with the group.

However consultants warn that the U.S. terrorist designation may restrict its capability to have interaction with different international locations, and Blinken has hinted that the U.S. may ease restrictions on HTS. “We admire among the constructive phrases we have now heard in latest days,” he mentioned. “However what actually issues is motion, and sustained motion.”

The USA and others additionally worry that any chaos following Assad’s collapse may permit ISIS to regroup. Turkey-backed insurgent factions final week launched an offensive towards jap Kurdish militants whom Washington has armed to struggle the extremist group.

Turkish Protection Minister Yaşar Güler advised reporters on Sunday that the Turkish military was prepared to coach and cooperate with the brand new authorities if it requested for assist.

However Güler added that Kurdish-led militant forces “have to be eradicated” and asserted that the brand new authorities in Damascus shares the identical objective.

Ankara’s long-standing assist for Syrian rebels has made it probably the most influential forces since Assad’s fall. He sees Syrian Kurdish militants as an extension of the Kurdistan Staff’ Celebration, which has waged an armed marketing campaign for autonomy in Türkiye for 4 a long time.

Providers have slowly resumed in Syria over the previous week. On Sunday, the primary day of the week, colleges reopened in Damascus and buses connecting totally different provinces resumed service.

To rejoice the regime’s fall, authorities additionally waived customs charges on cell telephones and suspended passport renewal charges for six months.