Syrian President Abu Mohammad al-Julani said Sunday evening that Syria will not enter Lebanon to fight Hezbollah, but may assist in disarming the militia — not through war and not through Syrian patronage over Lebanon, according to Syrian media reports. The statement refines his position after earlier saying Syria would not operate militarily against Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
Syrian President Abu Mohammad al-Julani refined his position on Hezbollah in a new statement Sunday evening, saying Syria may assist in disarming the Lebanese militia — but not through military action and not through reasserting Syrian patronage over Lebanon. The remarks, reported by Syrian media, build on earlier statements that evening in which he categorically ruled out Syrian military operations against Hezbollah inside Lebanon.
Julani's clarification came within minutes of his initial rejection of military action. At 21:35 Jerusalem on Sunday, The Zioneer reported that Julani said Syria would not operate militarily against Hezbollah. Moments later, the same media sources quoted him elaborating: 'We will not enter Lebanon to fight against Hezbollah. However, Syria may assist in disarming Hezbollah — not through war and not through Syrian patronage over Lebanon.' The thread shows Julani also confirmed he spoke with President Trump about non-military solutions and expressed willingness to hold dialogue with Hezbollah despite the damage it has caused Syria.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Sunday, Julani has also said he does not want Lebanon destroyed and that Syria has a 'deep problem' with Hezbollah. The U.S. administration, as The Zioneer has reported this week, has repeatedly suggested that Damascus could handle Hezbollah in a targeted manner. Israeli officials have opposed such an approach. On Tuesday, a Syrian source told Kan News that Julani conditions any military role on an Israeli withdrawal from areas captured in southern Syria after Assad's fall.
It remains unclear what specific form Syrian assistance in disarming Hezbollah would take, whether Hezbollah would accept any such role, and whether the statement reflects a concrete offer or a diplomatic hedge.
7 developments
- StrongSyrian president al-Sharaa rejects US proposal to confront Hezbollah militarily in Lebanon, citing concern over perception and unmet Israeli demands
- StrongSyria's interim president: We have a deep problem with Hezbollah but don't want Lebanon destroyed
- DevelopingSyria's al-Julani says he believes in dialogue with Hezbollah even during war
- DevelopingTrump says Syria could handle Hezbollah 'without knocking down buildings', Israel should not need to
Source and signal
- Internal intake