Syrian Rebel Leader Vows Buffer Zone Stability, Calls for Israeli Withdrawal

In a historic statement following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared Syria will not serve as a launchpad for attacks against Israel and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the 1974 buffer-zone agreement.

Julani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, spoke on Monday with journalists and diplomats, emphasizing that Syrian territory would remain neutral, with no provocations toward Israel. “We are committed to the 1974 agreement and are prepared to welcome back the UN monitors,” he stated, referencing the demilitarized zone that separates Syrian and Israeli forces.

In the aftermath of the Assad regime’s sudden collapse, Israel has carried out waves of airstrikes across Syria, targeting military assets previously controlled by the Assad government and allied Iranian-backed militias. While Israel cites security concerns as its reason for military intervention, Julani argued that those justifications no longer stand. “The excuse is gone,” he declared, calling for Israel to cease its operations and withdraw to previous positions.

HTS led the decisive 11-day offensive that ended Assad’s decades-long rule earlier this month. Now, Julani has promised a new direction for the war-torn country, disbanding rebel factions and integrating fighters into a unified defense ministry. Speaking from Damascus, he also stressed the need for unity and inclusion in Syria, pledging protections for minority rights and a renewed social contract. “Syria must remain united,” he said, addressing concerns about sectarian divisions and future governance.

Responding to international concerns about HTS’s Islamist origins, Julani dismissed fears of extremist rule. “Syria will not deeply intrude on personal freedoms,” he told journalists, underscoring that the new leadership aims to build a “natural Syria” that balances traditions with modern governance.

Julani further urged Western nations to lift sanctions on Syria to facilitate refugee returns and economic recovery. In discussions with British diplomats, he emphasized the importance of restoring international relations to rebuild the country.

As Syria navigates its post-Assad future, global powers are closely watching the HTS-led government’s next steps. While Julani has made overtures of moderation and stability, the region remains on edge amid lingering disorder and calls for foreign actors, including Israel, to recalibrate their roles in Syria’s evolving landscape.