US President Trump warned against actions that could ‘interfere with Syria’s development’ amid new Israeli incursions and attacks.
United States President Donald Trump has called on Israel to maintain “robust and genuine” negotiations with Syria, saying it is very important that “nothing be done that would interfere with Syria’s development of a prosperous state”.
The statement on Truth Social on Monday came days after Israel launched its latest incursion and attacks on Syria, killing 13 people in rural areas outside Damascus, which the new government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa described as “war crimes.”
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
In the post, Trump did not specifically reference the Israeli incursion, which is the latest in a series since Israel expanded its occupation of Syria’s south following the ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad last December.
Instead, Trump praised the new Syrian government under al-Sharaa, who has vowed to unify the country after years of civil war that has fueled sectarian distrust.
“The United States is very satisfied with the results demonstrated through hard work and determination in the country of Syria,” he said.
“We are doing everything within our power to ensure that the Syrian government continues to do what it was intended to do, which is enough, to build a true and prosperous country.”
Trump also described al-Sharaa as a regional leader working to promote stability between the two countries.
“Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa is working diligently to ensure that good things happen and that both Syria and Israel have a long and prosperous relationship,” he said.
Shortly after Trump’s post, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken to the US President on the phone.
It did not say whether the pair discussed Syria, but announced that Trump had invited Netanyahu to visit the White House “in the near future.”
talks in doubt
Al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander whom Trump hosted at the White House last month, said in November that direct negotiations had begun between his government and Israel on a security deal.
But critics have accused Israel of taking a series of actions in recent weeks that would scuttle any chances of resetting ties, including a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Syrian territory illegally occupied by Israel following the fall of al-Assad.
Last week, Israel carried out incursions into the city of Beit Jinn, claiming it was targeting members of al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya, the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The group has denied operating outside Lebanon.
When community members protested, Israel launched airstrikes that killed 13 people, including two children.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Israel had targeted Beit Jinn “with brutal and deliberate shelling”.
It said the attack constituted a “full-fledged war crime”.
<a href