WASHINGTON, D.C. — Only hours after the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference—a milestone event organized by Syria’s transitional government to foster reconciliation and national rebuilding—Israel launched a heavy bombing campaign targeting Damascus’s southern suburbs and other areas in southern Syria. This military escalation came just two days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly called for the “demilitarization” of the same region.
As organizations dedicated to Syria’s sovereignty, stability, and unity, we, the Syrian American community, vehemently condemn these unprovoked Israeli attacks and demand their immediate cessation. We also express deep concern over statements that undermine Syria’s territorial integrity. Since assuming office nearly three months ago, the new Syrian government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to peace, vowing that Syria will not be used as a platform for aggression against its neighbors—a stark contrast to the previous Assad regime. Furthermore, the government has reaffirmed its dedication to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel and has posed no threat to Israeli security.
Despite these assurances, Israel continues to violate Syrian sovereignty through repeated military incursions and airstrikes since the fall of the Assad regime, displaying blatant disregard for regional stability. Over the weekend, Netanyahu further escalated tensions by ordering the Israeli military to “prepare” for potential intervention in Syria under the pretext of “protecting” the Druze community—a notion widely rejected by the Syrian Druze themselves. Such provocative actions not only embolden hardline elements within Syria, potentially fueling the resurgence of ISIS, but also directly threaten U.S. and EU interests by destabilizing the region. This escalation could increase refugee flows to Europe and exacerbate the crisis at the U.S. southern border.
The future of Syria must be determined by its own people, free from foreign interference. External pressure and military threats only obstruct efforts toward stability, reconciliation, and justice. At a time when regional peace is crucial, these belligerent actions serve only to heighten tensions and prolong instability.
We urge the U.S. government, international organizations, and human rights groups to uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and to advocate for diplomatic solutions rather than military interventions. Achieving stability in the region requires constructive engagement, not confrontation.
The undersigned organizations call on all parties to honor Syria’s sovereignty and to foster a peaceful regional atmosphere that prioritizes diplomacy over military confrontation.
Signatories:
Citizens for a Secure and Safe America
American Coalition for Syria
Global Justice
