“These actions align with recent decisions made by our allies, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, and follow the efforts of the Syrian transitional government to promote stability, build an inclusive and secure future for its citizens, and collaborate with global partners to strengthen regional stability and combat terrorism,” the Canadian government stated.
In the meantime, Syria’s interim president accused Israel of pursuing “ghosts” and seeking adversaries in the aftermath of the Gaza conflict. President Ahmad al-Sharaa remarked at an international conference that since taking office a year ago, he has been conveying “positive messages regarding regional peace and stability.”
He indicated that Israel has dismissed his overtures, “extrapolating” its conflict with Hamas militants and justifying what he termed aggression under the guise of security. He assured that Syria would not adopt such a stance.
“We are not interested in being a nation that exports conflict, including to Israel,” he declared at the Doha Forum.
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Al-Sharaa, who was previously detained by the US for his association with al-Qaida in Iraq, urged Israel to withdraw its forces from Syrian territory and to reaffirm the 1974 truce agreement. He called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel and expressed optimism that a solution could be found to address “reasonable” security concerns.
“Currently, there are negotiations underway, with the involvement of the United States,” he added.
Since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel has controlled a portion of southern Syria that was once a UN-patrolled buffer zone under a 1974 disengagement agreement.
Israel claims it seized the 400-square-kilometre (155-square-mile) demilitarised buffer zone in southern Syria as a preemptive action to stop militants from entering the area after Islamist insurgents deposed Assad.
Israeli forces have consistently conducted operations in villages and towns both within and outside the zone, including raids targeting individuals they allege are suspected militants. At least 13 people were killed in an Israeli operation against suspected militants last month.
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Earlier this month, President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with al-Sharaa’s governance and urged Israel not to “interfere” in Syria’s domestic matters.
