Israel concerned over Sharaa's intentions in rebuilding Syria’s military, defense official says

Israel's defense establishment is growing increasingly uneasy about the intentions of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he works to reconstruct the nation's military, according to a senior defense official. Sharaa, the official claims, remains deeply entrenched in the ideology of his past as an extremist jihadist leader while simultaneously adopting a sophisticated approach to advance his regime's interests with various countries, including the US, moderate Sunni Arab states, Europe, and others.

The official stated that Sharaa is adept at tailoring his messaging to different audiences, adapting to the situation. He is working to expand the international legitimacy of his regime in order to dissociate himself from his extremist past and create a favorable environment for countries and corporations to invest in Syria, much like his predecessor Bashar Assad did early in his rule. Stability in Syria is therefore crucial for Sharaa.

On the flip side, the defense establishment's primary concern lies in Sharaa's persistent efforts to rearm Syria. The president aims to rehabilitate military bases and acquire weapons systems that could limit the freedom of operation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), particularly that of the Israel Air Force. The official explained that while Syrian troops are not currently at a high level of operational readiness, they have already conducted brigade-level exercises.

The official also highlighted the complexity of relations between the Syrian regime and Turkey, the latter of which has provided significant support to Sharaa in the past. However, Erdogan is now seeking to "collect payment" for Turkey's assistance in overthrowing Assad's regime, a move that strengthens his standing with US President Donald Trump. Notably, not everyone in Sharaa's inner circle sympathizes with Turkey, particularly over certain issues like the situation before the capture of Damascus by rebel forces.

The Syrian regime's hostility toward Iran and Hezbollah has not yet manifested in military action, but it has led to restrictions on Shiites in Syria and efforts to strengthen security along the Syrian-Lebanese border. This concern is viewed by the Lebanese military and Hezbollah as a potential flashpoint, given the possibility of civil war in Lebanon spilling over into Syrian territory.

Ultimately, Israel remains uncertain about Sharaa's intentions. The Syrian president is not only interested in claiming territory but also in seeking revenge against Hezbollah for its involvement in the Syrian civil war. At the same time, Israel is monitoring the scale of terrorist activity in southern Syria, an area where the regime has not succeeded in curbing the activities of clans, sectarian groups, and influential forces. The IDF remains on high alert for any developments in the region.