HTS Governor Marwan: ‘No problem with Israel, we want peace’

The groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which seized power in Syria after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad, continue to send warm messages to Israel.

Maher Marwan, the newly appointed governor of Damascus under HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, told NPR, the U.S. public radio outlet, that the government seeks to establish cordial relations between Israel and Syria.

“Our problem is not with Israel,” NPR quoted Marwan as saying, speaking on behalf of Jolani.

“Israel may have felt fear,” Marwan added, stating that they harbor no fear of Israel. “That’s why it advanced a little [in Syria], bombed [Syria] a little, etc.”

Israel, according to NPR, has been striking strategic military facilities in Syria since the fall of Assad and the seizure of parts of the Golan Heights, fueling fears of annexation.

Nevertheless, Marwan remarked that such fear is “natural” and conveyed a message as a representative of the political viewpoint of Ahmed al-Shara (Jolani) and the foreign ministry.

“We don’t want to get involved in anything that threatens the security of Israel or any other country,” Marwan said, avoiding any reference to the Palestinians or the war in Gaza, NPR reported.

Further, Marwan urged the United States to facilitate improved relations with Israel.

“There is a people who want to live together. They want peace. They don’t want conflict,” he stated.

An unnamed U.S. official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, told NPR that the United States had conveyed HTS’s message. The official added that the U.S. did not advise either country in any way.

“We want peace, and we can’t be against Israel or anyone else,” Marwan concluded.