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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said he will not allow “any foreign forces or local parties” to drag the country into chaos. He made the speech amid ongoing clashes between government troops and forces loyal to the deposed leader Bashar al-Assad.
“Our country has gone through bitter and difficult experiences over the past years, until it gained its freedom and the people’s revolution achieved its goals. Recently, it has been subjected to numerous attempts to destabilize it and drag it into the quagmire of chaos,” SANA news agency quoted President Ahmad al-Sharaa as saying in a speech on Sunday.
“Today, as we stand at this critical moment, we find ourselves facing a new danger, represented by the attempts of the remnants of the deposed regime and their external backers to create new strife and drag our country into a civil war, aiming to divide and destroy its unity and stability.”
“We fully understand that the dangers we face today are not mere passing threats, but are a direct result of opportunistic attempts by forces seeking to perpetuate chaos and destroy what remains of our beloved homeland. What is happening in some coastal areas is the clearest example of these attempts, and it is not the first time; a similar incident occurred a month and a half ago, which we managed to quell, thanks to Allah,” President al-Sharaa said.
“We must acknowledge the facts that the fallen regime left deep wounds during its rule, such as the Palestine Security Branch, Sednaya, the security branches, rape, chemical attacks, displacement, and demolishing homes over their inhabitants. All of this left wounds that are difficult to heal, and the events of yesterday are a result of these wounds, despite the state’s efforts from the first moment to prevent their occurrence.”
“From the very first moments, we reinforced the area with security forces to protect civil peace and prevent acts of revenge. These forces were attacked, many were killed and burned, and the residents were assaulted. Those who committed this heinous crime are the same ones who committed atrocities against the Syrian people over the past 14 years,” President al-Sharaa added.
“We assure the Syrian people and all those who care about our country that we will not tolerate the remnants of Assad who committed crimes against our army forces and state institutions, attacked hospitals, killed innocent civilians, and spread chaos in safe areas. These individuals have only one option: to surrender to the law immediately,” President al-Sharaa emphasized.
“We affirm that we will hold accountable, with firmness and without leniency, all those involved in the bloodshed of civilians or who harmed our people, those who exceeded the state’s authority or exploited power for their own interests. No one will be above the law, and all those whose hands are stained with Syrian blood will face justice sooner rather than later,” President al-Sharaa said.
He called upon all countries in the region and the world to stand by Syria and affirm their full respect for its unity and sovereignty.
“Syria will remain steadfast, and we will not allow any foreign forces or local parties to drag it into chaos or civil war. We are committed to moving forward towards a future worthy of our great people,” President al-Sharaa concluded.
The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that at least 830 civilians have been killed in what it described as “the largest collective act of revenge in the coast and its mountains,” with the death toll expected to rise.
More than 1,300 people have been killed in 72 hours, according to the organization, including security force members and militants.
