In southern Syria, Israeli policy risks backfiring - L'Orient Today

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A Syrian army tank destroyed after an Israeli strike in Quneitra, in the south of the country, in July 2025. (Credit: Abdullah Okaily/L’Orient Today) After the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024, the Syrian consensus around a settlement with Israel revealed a surprising pragmatism. After 14 years of war — and decades of exploiting the idea of "resistance" to justify oppression — most Syrians simply yearned for stability. A recurring refrain was heard: "If this brings calm, then it's for the better."Bolstered by this internal consensus and mainly wishing to consolidate its power, the new …