For the second consecutive day, regions in Syria witnessed demonstrations denouncing the statements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling for the unity of Syria while rejecting division and foreign guardianship.

Demonstrations took place in the Syrian capital, Damascus, in front of the United Nations headquarters today, Tuesday, February 25, where protesters carried banners urging adherence to the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent reported that dozens of protesters gathered in the main square of Daraa al-Balad in southern Syria, with participation from a delegation from As-Suwayda and another from the occupied Syrian Golan.

The demonstrations featured speeches emphasizing the necessity of rejecting division and condemning Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s remarks about southern Syria.

Protesters held banners denouncing Israeli interference and calling for Syrian unity – February 25, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Activist Ahmed Muthana)

In Quneitra, southern Syria, demonstrators took to the streets for the second day at the Khan Arnabeh roundabout. Ahmed Muthana, an activist in the region, stated that the demonstration included a broad spectrum of the city in rejection of Netanyahu’s statements and condemnation of Israeli encroachment.

Demonstrators carried banners rejecting division and calling for the unity of Syria, while waving Syrian flags alongside the Palestinian flag.

Demonstrations also occurred at al-Karama Square in the city of As-Suwayda, southern Syria, to affirm Syrian unity, with the presence of notable figures from the province and peaceful movement activists, according to the Suwayda 24 network.

Syrians demonstrated in several areas across Syria in rejection of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statements – February 25, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Activist Ahmed Muthana)

The demonstrations responded to calls made by activists urging protests in Damascus, Latakia, Homs, As-Suwayda, Quneitra, and Daraa on Monday, February 24.

The calls aimed to pressure Israel to comply with the 1974 disengagement agreement, halt Israeli violations on Syrian territory, and demand its withdrawal from occupied lands unconditionally.

On Monday, demonstrations occurred in the cities and towns of Busra al-Sham, Atman, Nawa, and Dael, which are part of the Daraa governorate, in addition to a demonstration at the Khan Arnabeh roundabout in the city of Quneitra.

Netanyahu’s statements triggered widespread anger in the Syrian street, as he said on February 23, “We will not allow (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus.”

Netanyahu demanded the removal of all weapons from Quneitra, Daraa, and As-Suwayda, as well as the barring of new government forces from entering.

He also threatened that he would not allow any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria, according to his statements.

Syrian protesters called on Israel to comply with the 1974 disengagement agreement in front of the United Nations building in Damascus – February 25, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Bisan Khalaf)

No official response

As of the time of this report, no official comment has been issued from the Damascus government regarding Netanyahu’s statements; however, the transitional president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, confirmed in a statement today during the National Dialogue Conference his rejection of the division of Syria.

Al-Sharaa stated today, “It is indivisible; it is a whole,” and he referenced certain parties both domestically and internationally “upset by the joy of Syrians in the victory of the revolution,” as he described it.

On the other hand, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs attacked the new Syrian government, describing it as “an Islamic jihadist terrorist group from Idlib that seized Damascus by force.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Monday that a stable Syria can only be a federal Syria that includes different autonomous regions and respects diverse ways of life.

In recent days, Israeli security agencies have begun preparations for the entry of workers from Syria into towns in the Golan Heights, according to confirmations from two Israeli security officials to the Israeli broadcasting authority (Makan).

This followed requests from Druze council heads who approached security officials and Israeli forces after the fall of the ousted Assad regime, according to Makan.

Protesters condemned the Israeli statements and denounced the incursions – February 25, 2025 (Enab Baladi/Activist Ahmed Muthana)

Israel’s incursion in Syria

Israel has crossed into the buffer zone on the southern Syrian border since the early moments following the fall of the previous regime on December 8, entering several areas and establishing a presence in the Daraa and Quneitra governorates. It justifies its encroachment by claiming to protect its internal security.

It has struck several Syrian army sites, asserting that it is defending its internal security and preventing what it calls “extremists” from seizing these weapons.

Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the Israeli army will remain in the buffer zone indefinitely and has bolstered his statements by establishing military bases in the areas it recently entered.