West AsiaIIT Exclusive NewsPalestineResistance AxisSyriaWorld News

REVEALED: So called HTS governor Marwan expressed the group’s intention to seek ‘peace’ with ‘israel’

The newly appointed "governor" of Damascus, the Syrian capital, has stated that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant organization, which assumed control of parts of Syria earlier this month, is seeking to establish "peace" with Israel.

In a statement to NPR published on Thursday, Maher Marwan clarified that the group’s issues are not directed towards Israel. He emphasized that the militants have no intention of engaging in actions that could compromise Israel’s security, describing Tel Aviv’s apprehensions about a potential new regime as “understandable.”

A representative of the militant group expressed a desire to establish cordial relations with the regime, emphasizing that they do not harbor any fear of Israel. He stated, “Our issue is not with Israel. There is a populace that seeks coexistence, desiring peace rather than conflict.”

“We have no intention of interfering in matters that could jeopardize Israel’s security or the security of any other nation,” he stated, acknowledging the Israeli government’s authority while referencing Tel Aviv’s control over significant territorial areas in the region.

In a recent statement, representatives emphasized their desire for peace and clarified that they hold no adversarial stance towards Israel or any other entities.

He further stated that the government’s initial concerns following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad were “understandable.”

An official suggested that Israel might have acted out of fear, leading it to escalate its operations with minor advances and bombings. This comment seemingly downplays the significant increase in Israel’s attacks on the Arab nation both preceding and following the militant group’s takeover.

The Israeli government claims that its military actions against Syria, targeting both military and civilian infrastructure, are intended to prevent the country’s defensive capabilities from being acquired by “wrong hands and hostile elements.”

The regime has intensified its incursion into the occupied Golan Heights, a development that has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Tel Aviv has asserted that it did not intend to interfere in the country’s affairs, stating that its establishment of a so-called buffer zone within the mountainous region was merely a “defensive measure.”

In a statement earlier this month, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), affirmed the group’s commitment to the 1974 agreement established between the Syrian regime and Damascus, which created a buffer zone. Al-Julani expressed readiness to facilitate the return of United Nations monitors to the area.

In an interview with The Times, he emphasized Syria’s intent to avoid conflict with Israel or any other nation. He stated that Syria should not be utilized as a base for launching attacks and insisted on the cessation of strikes to allow the Syrian people some respite. Furthermore, he called for Israel to retreat to its earlier established positions.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is one of the militant groups that have been active in Syria since 2011, significantly contributing to the widespread death and destruction experienced by the nation’s population.

The position of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regarding the Israeli military incursion into Syria aligns with the widespread condemnation expressed by various regional and international states and organizations. These entities have underscored the importance of safeguarding Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Back to top button