Protesters in Syria Chant “Jihad” Against Israel Amid Regional Tensions

Demonstrations against Israel took place in several locations across Syria this weekend, including Damascus, Quneitra, Al-Hasaka, and Homs. In Quneitra, protesters chanted, “The people want an announcement of Jihad,” while in a Damascus province town, participants called for, “Jaibar, H Yahud, the army of Muhammad will return. To Jerusalem they march on the Shahids.”

In Israel, some observers suggest the demonstrations are a reaction to Israeli military actions in southern Syria. Over the past month, Syrian media reported that Israeli forces killed an armed man and a civilian who approached their positions. However, Syrian sources told “today” that the protests are orchestrated by the de facto regime to divert internal social unrest toward Israel.

According to one Syrian source, security forces are pressuring civilians in cities to participate in the protests against Israeli intervention, allegedly to protect Druze and other minority communities. The goal, the source said, is to present the demonstrations as the true will of the Syrian people, while reports indicate they are organized to serve the interests of the de facto regime.

Following an agreement with the Kurdish minority in northeastern Syria last summer, the de facto regime’s focus has shifted to the Druze minority in al-Sweida. There, Druze leader Sheikh Al-Hajj Wisdom declared an inseparable connection with the State of Israel and expressed a desire to separate from Syria. Arab media recently reported that Israel has provided military aid to Druze forces in the region.

A Syrian source warned that the current situation is politically motivated by the de facto regime, which is pushing for a state of boiling against Israel through demonstrations, condemnations, and speeches. The source cautioned that what is coming will be greater and the price will be heavy, noting that these individuals do not keep promises and betray everyone if their interests are threatened.

The Syrian source also referred to Islamist militants aligned with the de facto regime, describing them as “savages” who do not distinguish between Jews, Alawis, Druze, or Christians. They warned that if necessary, these groups would “devour everyone like animals,” citing the situation in al-Sweida as a concrete example.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)