President Ahmad al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria’s liberation marked a historic turning point, ending more than four decades of isolation.
President al-Sharaa noted that the international community lost significantly by Syria’s absence from global surroundings, especially given its strategic location as a vital link between East and West along the historic Silk Road.
In an interview with the American CBS News, President Al-Sharaa explained that Syria had, in recent years, become a source of migration, a hub for captagon production, a site of chemical weapons use, and a battleground for complex regional and international conflicts. These dynamics made a political solution elusive due to the entangled interests of major powers, regional actors, and Israel.
President Al-Sharaa added that Syria’s liberation created a historic opportunity for the region and the world. The country has restored normal relations with regional and global partners, opened doors to investment and reconstruction, and reclaimed its seat at the United Nations. He called on the international community to lift sanctions and classifications that hinder Syria’s recovery and stability.
Regarding Israel, President Al-Sharaa underlined that Syria had not engaged in provocations and had clearly stated it would not serve as a platform to threaten any neighboring country, including Israel. Nevertheless, Israel has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 incursions into Syrian territory since the regime’s fall, targeting military and civilian sites, including the presidential palace. He described these actions as acts of war and warned that continued violations of international norms by Israel could plunge the region into chaos.
President Al-Sharaa reiterated Syria’s commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement and expressed readiness to welcome back UN peacekeeping forces (UNDOF). However, Israel rejected their return. He confirmed that negotiations under U.S. sponsorship are ongoing to reach a new security agreement, though Israeli policies suggest a lack of commitment to any future accord.
The Golan Heights is Syrian territory occupied since 1967, and its restoration is a legitimate right that Syria pursues through negotiations and peaceful means, in accordance with international law and UN resolutions, President Al-Sharaa stressed.
President Al-Sharaa said that Syria has emerged with a new political identity after years of isolation. It now seeks balanced alliances with the West and the U.S., as well as regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Syria currently maintains calm and stable relations with Russia and China, based on shared strategic interests. Both countries have sent positive signals of support, and these ties do not conflict with Syria’s relations with the West or the U.S.
The President stated that Syria’s liberation on December 8 occurred without displacement or revenge. However, certain parties attempted to incite unrest in the coastal region and Sweida, exploiting minority issues to advance foreign agendas. Some incidents stemmed from the legacy of the former regime, which sowed division among Syria’s communities. For the first time, Syria has allowed UN committees to investigate these events.
President Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria is a state of law and citizenship. Since liberation, it has begun building a new political system through inclusive national dialogue and has formed a diverse government representing all segments of Syrian society. He noted that Syria is in a transitional period requiring years of effort to overcome challenges, and the progress made in eight months is a significant achievement.
Regarding northeastern Syria, President al-Sharaa affirmed that the March 10 agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) enjoys broad popular support and guarantees Kurdish rights within the Syrian constitution. He stressed that any cultural or social distinctiveness of the Kurdish community will be protected by law, while firmly rejecting any separatist ambitions.
He pointed out that the majority of the region’s population belongs to the Arab component closely tied to the Syrian state, and even within the Kurdish community, there is no unanimous support for the SDF.
President al-Sharaa noted that the SDF emerged during the war against ISIS with support from the United States and some Western countries. However, he argued that the continued presence of such organizations is no longer necessary now that the Syrian state has regained control. He warned that these military and security divisions undermine national unity and threaten the country’s stability.
He emphasized that a clear objective was set since liberation: weapons must be in the hands of the state alone. Any proliferation of armed groups, he said, would lead to internal security disturbances that could affect the entire region.
President al-Sharaa spoke of his personal experience in the fight against ISIS, spanning more than a decade of confrontation. He highlighted Syria’s extensive expertise today in combating the group, including handling sensitive cases such as the al-Hawl camp, which poses a growing security threat due to the extremist ideologies developing within it.
He clarified that the Syrian government is the sole authority authorized to handle this issue directly, not the entities operating in northeastern Syria. He stated that Syria had contacted the United States and other concerned countries from day one, and affirmed that Syria is capable of addressing these challenges independently, though it does not object to seeking technical or informational assistance if needed.
President al-Sharaa praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing it as a bold and historic move that reflects American recognition of the importance of Syria’s stability and unity. He urged all U.S. institutions, including Congress, to follow the same path and avoid delays in lifting sanctions to enable Syrians to rebuild their homeland. He also called for the restoration of relations between Damascus and Washington on sound foundations that serve mutual interests.
President al-Sharaa pointed out that Syria is rich in human resources and national expertise. In recent months, the country has attracted a large number of Syrians educated at top global universities. These professionals, selected based on merit and experience, represent Syria’s greatest national asset. He stressed that Syria is now on the path to recovery and requires genuine support from the international community.
President al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria is now poised for a new phase of economic growth, leveraging its diverse human resources and strategic geographic location. He noted that the country today offers a safe haven for investment in tourism, agriculture, and industry, with a business-friendly environment thanks to low labor costs and adequate infrastructure. Syria is also an emerging investment destination, particularly in energy and real estate, and could play a pivotal role in supporting global supply chains and meeting Europe’s energy needs.
The President stressed that rebuilding Syria is a collective responsibility that cannot be shouldered by any single individual or entity. The current phase requires the concerted efforts of all skilled Syrian professionals, both inside and outside the country, to contribute to reconstruction. “The era of unilateral authority is over,” he said. “Responsibility today is shared between the state and the people, and anyone who can lay a brick in Syria’s rebuilding must take part.”
MHD Ibrahim
