In a televised address this morning, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa described the recent clashes in the Sweida province as "a dangerous turning point in Syria’s security and political situation," while accusing foreign powers of fueling instability.
The president stated that "the violent clashes between armed groups nearly spiraled out of control, had it not been for the Syrian state’s intervention to calm the situation," emphasizing that despite the difficult context, the authorities managed to act and prevent escalation.
He warned, however, that "the crisis has worsened following direct Israeli strikes on southern Syria and government institutions in Damascus," calling it "a dangerous phase threatening the country’s stability." He acknowledged the involvement of US and Arab mediations aimed at restoring calm.
President al-Sharaa also revealed that after the withdrawal of state forces from parts of Sweida, armed groups launched retaliatory attacks against Bedouin families, prompting "other tribes to intervene and break the siege imposed on the Bedouins."
He recalled that the Syrian state had always stood by Sweida after the liberation of large parts of the country, providing support and ensuring stability, but noted that certain actors had "undermined the city’s role in national stability."
Finally, al-Sharaa strongly condemned the reliance on foreign support and the use of Sweida as a tool in international conflicts, stating that "this benefits no Syrian and only worsens the crisis," according to statements reported by the official SANA news agency.
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