Syrian President's Father Warns Israel Over Golan Heights, Vows Return

Dr. Hussein al-Shara, father of the Syrian president and in his 80s, posted a widely noted message on Facebook emphasizing Israel as Syria's main adversary following the revolution. He stated that Syrians must not forget their primary conflict is with Israel, accusing it of undermining Syria's stability and territorial unity for 80 years. According to al-Shara, Israel has conducted around 1,000 airstrikes on Syrian military sites, crossed the 1974 separation lines, occupied the Hermon area, and established an observation post there. He asserted that Israel's clear goal is to prevent a stable Syria.

Al-Shara explained that Damascus currently refrains from military retaliation due to international considerations but warned against continuing Israeli policies. He declared that the Syrian people could mobilize fighting forces within days in numbers Israel cannot comprehend. He emphasized that Syria has occupied land called the Golan Heights and vowed its return "sooner or later."

Although Hussein al-Shara holds no official political position and was associated with the Nasserist movement in his youth, his statements reflect rising tensions over Israeli activities in the region. His remarks come amid ongoing Israeli military operations near Syria and the contested status of the Golan Heights.