ALBAWABA- U.S. President Donald Trump praised Syria’s interim government for what he called “remarkable progress” in stabilizing the country, while privately urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid military actions that could jeopardize the fragile transition, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
In a Truth Social post, Trump commended President Ahmed al-Sharaa for advances made since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. “The United States is very satisfied with the results displayed, through hard work and determination, in the Country of Syria,” he wrote, adding that Washington is “doing everything within our power to assist” and hopes for renewed dialogue between Israel and Syria leading to “peace and prosperity for the entire region.”
The message comes amid a significant policy shift marked by Trump’s recent lifting of U.S. sanctions on Damascus and stepped-up cooperation with al-Sharaa’s administration, which has pledged disarmament in the south and enhanced counterterrorism coordination.
Later that day, Trump held a 20-minute call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the White House, reiterating concerns that Israeli operations in southern Syria could derail U.S.-backed stabilization plans, two officials told Reuters. “Don’t hinder the stability we’re helping build,” Trump reportedly said, emphasizing shared security interests.
Netanyahu acknowledged the warning but defended recent incursions as necessary to counter Hezbollah remnants and Iranian proxies near the Golan Heights. It was Trump’s third call with the Israeli leader since taking office, highlighting Washington’s growing role as mediator amid rising cross-border tensions.
Trump’s intervention follows weeks of heightened Israeli military activity in post-Assad Syria, where Israel seeks guarantees for a demilitarized buffer zone under the 1974 disengagement agreement.
On November 19, Netanyahu made a high-profile visit to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, touring IDF positions with Defense Minister Israel Katz and calling the deployment “of immense importance” for Israel’s security. Damascus condemned the visit as a “flagrant violation” of sovereignty and UN resolutions.
Tensions sharply escalated on November 28 in Beit Jinn (also known as Um Jenn), when an Israeli special forces raid targeting a suspected Hezbollah operative devolved into a firefight with local residents and Syrian security forces.
At least 13 Syrians, including civilians, were killed and 24 were wounded. Syria accused Israel of “aggression,” while the IDF said the operation was a preemptive move to disrupt arms smuggling networks.
The incident, the deadliest since Assad’s ouster, triggered urgent UN Security Council discussions and warnings from Iran of potential regional escalation.
Israeli forces carried out further operations in the days following, including a dawn raid on Saida al-Hanout involving drones and armored vehicles that temporarily established a checkpoint.
