“These actions align with the recent decisions made by our allies, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, and follow the efforts of the Syrian transitional government aimed at enhancing Syria’s stability, fostering an inclusive and secure future for its citizens, and collaborating with global partners to strengthen regional stability and counter terrorism,” the Canadian government stated.
Meanwhile, Syria’s interim president accused Israel of battling “ghosts” and seeking enemies in the aftermath of the Gaza war. President Ahmad al-Sharaa mentioned at an international conference that since assuming power a year ago, he has communicated “positive messages regarding regional peace and stability.”
He stated that Israel has spurned his overtures, “extrapolating” its conflict with Hamas militants and rationalizing what he referred to as aggression in the name of security. He assured that Syria would not adopt such behavior.
“We are not focused on being a nation that exports conflict, including to Israel,” he conveyed during the Doha Forum.
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Al-Sharaa, previously detained by the US for his ties to al-Qaida in Iraq, urged Israel to pull back its forces from his country and reaffirm the 1974 truce agreement. He called upon the international community to exert pressure on Israel and expressed hope that a solution could be reached to address “reasonable” security concerns.
“Negotiations are currently underway, with the United States participating and actively engaged,” he added.
Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel has controlled a portion of southern Syria that was formerly a UN-patrolled buffer zone under a 1974 disengagement agreement.
According to Israel, it seized the 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria as a preemptive measure to thwart militants from entering the area after Islamist insurgents overthrew Assad.
Israeli forces have routinely conducted operations in villages and towns within and outside the zone, including raids targeting individuals they suspect to be militants. Last month, at least 13 people were killed in an Israeli operation against suspected militants.
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Earlier this month, President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with al-Sharaa’s performance, advising Israel not to “interfere” in Syria’s internal matters.
