New Syrian gov’t wants ‘peace’ and has ‘no problem’ with Israel, says new Damascus governor

When the Assad regime in Syria collapsed under the onslaught of rebel coalitions dominated by Islamist groups, the Israeli government decided to send the IDF to capture forward positions and create a buffer zone until the situation in Syria became clearer.

While Israel's actions were criticized by Syria’s new apparent leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), the head of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that dominates the new government, the new HTS governor of Damascus sent a remarkably conciliatory message to Israel on Thursday.

“Israel may have felt fear. So it advanced a little, bombed a little,” Maher Marwan told American National Public Radio (NPR). Marwan is a veteran administrator of HTS’ Syrian Salvation Government (SSG), which has governed the Idlib region in recent years and was recently named the governor of Damascus.

He said Israel’s concern with certain “factions” coming to power in Syria was understandable and “natural” but on behalf of the new government added, “We have no fear towards Israel, and our problem is not with Israel.”

Like good old days of the Umayyads, Damascus Governor Maher Mohammed Marwan visited areas of the Old City to personally interact with residents and understand their needs. pic.twitter.com/IWBFK9JAP7

— El Errante (@elerrantenomad) December 25, 2024

Despite the new government’s moderate tones and attempts to project a peaceful and conciliatory message, Israel has taken a much more cautious approach than many other Western countries.

The United States even sent a delegation to Damascus to facilitate direct relations with the HTS, which it still designates as a terror group. Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf later said the discussion with al-Sharaa was “very productive” and that he came across as “pragmatic.”

The U.S. also canceled the $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa’s head, after his being identified as a prominent terrorist for over a decade, being deeply affiliated first with the Islamic State in Iraq, and then with al-Qaeda, before striking out on his own with the Nusra Front group, which later became HTS.

After HTS assumed power in Syria about three weeks ago, Israel reportedly warned, “We will not accept any attempt by jihadists to enter southern Syria.

The message included the clarification that if a “responsible party” would take control, Israel would consider transferring the buffer zone. However, as long as no such party exists, Israel will continue safeguarding its own security.

Some parts of Marwan’s new area of responsibility are relatively close to the Israeli border. The 42-year-old grew up in the Syrian capital and returned to his home after 12 years of fleeing from the Assad regime.

During that time, he was trained in Islamic law at Idlib University, earned a professional project management certificate, and held several positions in HTS’ ministries of Awqaf (charitable endowments) and local development in Idlib.

“We don't want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel's security or any other country's security,” Marwan continued.

In his interview with NPR, he made no mention of Palestinians or the Gaza War. Other representatives of HTS have praised Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre and expressed support for the terror group in its fight against Israel.

However, Marwan even called on the U.S., which, like Israel, is a traditional enemy of all Islamist and jihadist movements, to facilitate better relations with Israel.

“There exists a people that wants coexistence. They want peace. They don't want disputes,” Marwan reiterated. “We want peace, and we cannot be an opponent to Israel or an opponent to anyone.”