Syrian Government Condemns Israeli Prime Minister’s Visit to Troops in Southern Syria

Latest Developments

• ‘Violation of Sovereignty and Unity’: The Syrian government strongly condemned a November 19 visit to Israeli-controlled Syrian territory by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Calling Netanyahu’s presence “a dangerous violation of Syrian sovereignty and unity,” the government reiterated its call for Israel’s withdrawal. The visit also resulted in a confrontation at the United Nations between the Syrian and Israeli ambassadors. “There is no proof that Syria has turned a new page, and it’s impossible to talk about a ‘new Syria’ when Druze, Christians, and Alawites are being slaughtered,” Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon stated. Syrian Ambassador Ibrahim al-Albi responded, “We have already proven ourselves to Syrians, to the region, and to our allies. Is Israel doing the same?”
• ‘Enormous Importance’ of IDF Troops in Syria: Netanyahu was joined by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and other senior officials on the visit to areas of southern Syria controlled by the IDF since the ouster of former dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Netanyahu stated that Israel attaches “enormous importance to our defensive and offensive abilities here” in protecting “our Druze allies” and Israel’s northern border. IDF troops took control of Mount Hermon and the UN-established buffer zone between Syria and Israel to prevent terrorist groups from establishing strongholds. As the visit was taking place, Israeli security forces arrested 12 Druze suspects — including five IDF soldiers— for smuggling weapons from Syria into Israel for use in criminal activity.
• SDF Accuses Government of Collaborating With ISIS: The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on November 19 accused the Syrian government of collaborating with ISIS to facilitate drone attacks on the group. The statement came after the SDF shot down what it said were two ISIS drones. Clashes later erupted between SDF and Syrian government forces in Raqqa, in which two Syrian army soldiers were killed. In March, Damascus and the SDF signed an agreement to integrate SDF forces into the Syrian army by the end of the year.

FDD Expert Response

“What is playing out in Syria is the inevitable result of the contradictions inherent in having interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa and his coalition of Sunni extremists in control. Regardless of one’s views on Sharaa’s intentions, he has failed to prevent massacres of Syrian Druze and Alawites or to hold those responsible to account. Add to this Turkey’s overbearing ambitions in Syria and hostility to the Kurdish community, and you have an obvious risk that Sharaa fails to live up to his stated goal of protecting the interests of Syria’s minorities, which may prevent the country from stabilizing and moving forward.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“Tensions between the SDF and the Syrian government continue to intensify as the end-of-the-year deadline approaches for the March agreement that was meant to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state. While the likelihood of ISIS cooperating with the Syrian government is extremely low — especially now that Damascus has joined the anti-ISIS coalition — this does not exclude the presence of rogue elements within the Syrian army. Sharaa must prioritize cleaning up his security institutions, particularly given the documented violations committed by individuals in his army over the past year.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Israeli prime minister and top officials visit Syria ‘buffer zone’ as Israel-Syria talks stall,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Will Al-Sharaa Meet the American Moment?” by Ahmad Sharawi

“U.S. Diplomacy Key in Bridging SDF-Syrian Government Gaps,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Hezbollah Attempting To Smuggle Weapons Through Syria, Rebuild in South Lebanon, IDF Says,” FDD Flash Brief