DAMASCUS – Just two weeks after rising to power in a sweeping military offensive, Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has emphasized a change in Damascus’ approach to Lebanon, pledging on Dec 22 to cease any “negative interference” in its neighbor’s internal affairs. The comments come as part of a broader regional shift following the dramatic overthrow of long-time Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on Dec 8, when Sharaa’s forces, aligned with Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of the capital, Damascus.
Speaking alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Sharaa confirmed Syria’s intention to refrain from interfering in Lebanon’s political or security matters, marking a significant policy turn for Syria after years of contentious involvement in Lebanon’s internal affairs. Syria has historically wielded significant influence over Lebanon, including military control during Lebanon’s civil war and the subsequent occupation of the country, which lasted until 2005, after international pressure led to Syria’s withdrawal.
“From now on, Syria will respect Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and independence in its decisions,” Sharaa declared during the meeting. “We will no longer meddle in Lebanon’s internal matters, and we will stand at an equal distance from all factions in Lebanon. Syria recognizes that its past interference has generated fear and anxiety among the Lebanese people, and we aim to correct that.” His message was intended to reassure Lebanon, a country that has experienced its share of instability due to the complex interplay between Lebanese sects, Syria, and foreign powers.
The remarks come as part of a broader shift in Syria’s diplomatic and political efforts. Sharaa’s government, installed after the fall of Assad, is already working to secure international recognition and forge relationships in the region that were once fractured due to Assad’s alliances with Iran and Hezbollah. This includes rekindling diplomatic ties with regional players, such as Turkey, who had supported rebels opposed to the Assad regime. Despite having played a crucial role in the rebel alliance against Assad, Turkey has remained in contact with Sharaa’s administration, indicating a possible reset in Turkish-Syrian relations under the new leadership.
Regional Dynamics and Syria’s Strategic Shift
As Turkey maintains ties with Syria’s new government, Riyadh, long a backer of the Syrian opposition to Assad, is also re-engaging with Damascus. Syria’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia recently confirmed that Riyadh would send a diplomatic delegation to Damascus, signaling the end of years of estrangement. The Saudi-Syrian relationship was one of many complicated dynamics in the region during the prolonged civil war, with Saudi Arabia supporting various opposition factions while Syria was supported by Tehran.
Sharaa’s efforts to establish good relations with Lebanon are also part of a broader regional initiative. In addition to meeting with Turkish officials, Sharaa hosted a delegation of Lebanese Druze leaders, Walid and Taymur Jumblatt, on Dec 22. Walid Jumblatt, who has long been a fierce critic of the Assad regime—dating back to the assassination of his father, Kamal, during Lebanon’s civil war—was invited to Damascus to engage in direct talks with Syria’s new leader. Jumblatt’s late father was killed in 1977, allegedly by Syrian operatives, and the elder Jumblatt’s political activities in Lebanon stood in direct opposition to Syria’s influence in the country. The meeting, therefore, marked a historic shift in the political landscape for the Lebanese Druze community, which has historically had tense relations with the Assad family.
Despite Sharaa’s promises of greater non-intervention, many in Lebanon remain cautious, remembering Syria’s decades-long dominance of Lebanese politics. Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, acknowledged the wariness in Lebanon but insisted that Syria no longer posed a threat to its sovereignty. His assurances are important in an era of growing geopolitical instability in the region, as Lebanon continues to grapple with its own political, sectarian, and economic crises.
The diplomatic breakthrough comes at a moment of regional tension, as Israel and Iran continue to navigate their ongoing conflict over the balance of power in the Middle East. Iran’s long-standing role as a patron of Assad’s government has been critical in sustaining Syria’s war effort, particularly through its provision of military support to Assad’s forces and supplying weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Sharaa’s public distancing from Iranian interference in Lebanon, however, may reflect his desire to chart an independent course for Syria in a post-Assad political landscape, even while retaining ties with Tehran.
Global Reactions to Syria’s Political Shifts
While Syria’s diplomatic overtures have pleased some regional players, others remain deeply concerned about the country’s future under Sharaa’s leadership, particularly regarding the treatment of women and minorities, as well as the ongoing instability in Syria and the region.
Global powers, including the United States and the European Union, have ramped up diplomatic engagement with Syria’s new leadership, urging Sharaa’s government to protect the rights of vulnerable groups amid ongoing concerns about the direction the country will take. Both the U.S. and EU have stressed the importance of addressing “terrorism and extremism,” issues that have become central to the ongoing conflict in Syria and the broader Middle East.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has also expressed support for Syria’s new trajectory, emphasizing that while the Assad regime has fallen, Iran’s interests in Syria will continue. On Dec 22, Khamenei declared that he expected a “strong, honorable group” would rise from Syria to combat insecurity and external intervention in the country. The term “external intervention” alluded to the continued presence of foreign-backed forces in Syria, including U.S. troops in the northeast and Turkish military operations in the country’s northwest.
Ayatollah Khamenei has remained firm on Iran’s strategic priorities in the region, including its support of militias and proxy groups aligned against Israel. Iran has also been crucial in maintaining arms supplies to Hezbollah, which continues to be a major military and political actor in Lebanon. Despite the ongoing pushback from Israel and the U.S., Khamenei’s remarks suggest that Iran is committed to supporting its allies in Syria as they navigate a shifting political and military landscape in the Middle East.
Khamenei further clarified that Iran does not need proxy groups for military action, stating, “If one day we want to take action, we do not need a proxy force.” His comments came amid growing speculation that regional powers might realign as the conflict in Syria evolves and as foreign actors attempt to address lingering concerns about nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and regional security.
Sharaa’s call for a reformed and non-interventionist Syrian policy may signal an attempt to position Syria as a more neutral party in a region rife with sectarianism and geopolitical divides. Whether this new leadership can fully extricate Syria from its past alliances and shift its trajectory to a more stabilizing role in Lebanon and the wider Middle East remains a key question for the international community.