New Syrian leader al-Jolani urges US to pressure Israel into withdrawing from buffer zone in Syria

Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, is urging the United States to put pressure on Israel to withdraw from the buffer zone it established on the border, including the Syrian section of Mount Hermon, Israel’s Kan 11 news reported on Friday.

Israeli authorities stated they have received no formal communication regarding the request, but an official told Kan that Israel “will not compromise its security.”

According to the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA), Israel sees al-Jolani as a terrorist who is likely to act against Israel, with senior Israeli security officials describing him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“The reality in Syria hasn’t stabilized,” stated Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. “The regime in Damascus is essentially a gang – not a legitimate government. Other areas, like Idlib, are controlled by Islamist groups with extreme ideologies.”

“The international community may understand the reasoning behind entering buffer zones, but understanding does not equate to approval,” Sa'ar added.

The Biden administration has been quick to remove the $10 million reward for the arrest of al-Jolani, following meetings between U.S. senior diplomats and representatives from al-Jolani’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf said the discussion with Sharaa was “very productive,” and that he came across as “pragmatic.” According to recent reports, the Biden administration is moving towards recognizing the new Syrian leader before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

Political sources in Jerusalem have told the JCFA that “the U.S. has recommended that Israel consider opening communication channels with Syria’s new regime.”

The new governor of Damascus, Maher Marwan, claimed that Syria, under HTS rule, does not harbor any hostility toward Israel.

“We harbor no fear of Israel and bear no animosity,” Marwan said. “We have no plans to interfere with anything that could undermine Israel’s safety. Our people yearn for coexistence and peace.”

According to the JCFA, al-Jolani’s main priority right now is to get Syria under control, which is why confronting Israel is currently not on the table.

“For now, al-Jolani’s priority is stabilizing Syria, gaining Arab and international recognition, uniting Syria’s diverse ethnic groups under his rule, and lifting sanctions to revive the economy,” wrote Yoni Ben Menachem, a senior analyst for the JCFA.

“Confronting Israel does not align with his current goals, particularly as his forces lack heavy weaponry, most of which Israel destroyed to prevent it from falling into his hands. Israel’s current approach is to ‘respect and suspect’ al-Jolani, maintaining no communication channels with him.”

Israel has continued to strike targets in Syria, including a recently reported attack on a weapons depot in the town of Adra. This was part of Israel's ongoing efforts to eliminate weapons in Syria that could pose a future threat to Israel's security.