Israel's Growing Concerns Over Syrian Rebel Advances and Regional Stability

As Jordan closely watches the developments in Syria, there are fears of a "domino effect" where the instability in Syria could fuel unrest in other Arab nations. With Syria’s neighbors keeping a close eye on the situation, Israel and Jordan are on high alert. The diplomatic landscape in the region is rapidly evolving as the world watches the outcomes of these complex negotiations.

Israeli officials are monitoring the situation closely, fearing that the rebel advances could embolden extremist factions in Jordan. The concern is that such movements could directly affect Israel, especially given their shared border with Jordan, Israel’s longest.

Diplomatic efforts have been in full swing, with Arab diplomats from countries like Egypt and Jordan working together to address the risks. There are growing fears that the Syrian rebellion may inspire Islamist groups across the region. Although the Syrian opposition’s rhetoric remains moderate for now, the situation remains volatile.

In a recent interview with opposition TV, Ahmad "Abu Mohammad al-Julani" al-Sharaa, commander of Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS), addressed Syria's future post-Assad. Al-Julani indicated that there would be no justification for foreign intervention following the departure of Iranian forces from Syria, calling for international support to prevent further escalation. He emphasized the importance of reconstruction and stability, prioritizing the nation’s recovery over further conflicts.

Al-Julani also sought to differentiate his leadership from the actions of the previous regime. He criticized the Assad dynasty for its systemic corruption and the devastation it caused to Syria’s infrastructure. He vowed to end the production of captagon, a drug that had been produced under the Assad regime as a means of circumventing sanctions.

In his remarks, al-Julani also showed a commitment to safeguarding Syria’s minority communities, including Christians and Druze, and reiterated his plans to dissolve all armed factions, consolidating control under a unified Syrian state.