As Syria faces escalating violence and Israeli incursions, Ahmed al-Sharaa centralizes security decision-making with a new National Security Council
[Damascus] Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has issued a decree establishing the National Security Council, appointing himself as its head, as the country grapples with ongoing unrest, armed conflicts, and persistent Israeli incursions following the collapse of the Assad regime.
A media source from the Syrian presidency told The Media Line that the formation of the National Security Council, chaired by al-Sharaa, aims to coordinate and manage Syria’s security and political policies during this period of heightened instability.
The council, announced in an official statement, will include the ministers of foreign affairs, defense, and interior, along with the intelligence chief. It will also have two advisory seats and one technical seat, with appointees selected by the president.
The formation of the National Security Council stems from the nation’s supreme interest and the need to strengthen national security in response to emerging security and political challenges
“The formation of the National Security Council stems from the nation’s supreme interest and the need to strengthen national security in response to emerging security and political challenges,” the source added.
The council will convene regularly, with meetings led by the president, to address national security issues and evolving threats to Syria.
Escalating Violence and Regional Tensions
Since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, Syria’s coastal region has witnessed rising violence, as attacks on government forces have escalated into sectarian violence targeting the Alawite community—which makes up approximately 9% of Syria’s population.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 1,000 civilian deaths, attributing some massacres to government forces.
Meanwhile, Syrian authorities reported attacks on security forces, government buildings, and hospitals, resulting in the deaths of 231 soldiers over several days. The government admitted to unspecified “violations” that led to civilian casualties, pledging to investigate the incidents.
Israeli Military Incursions in Southern Syria
In southern Syria, Israeli forces have reportedly continued cross-border operations, disarming residents of border villages.
A resident of Jubata al-Khashab, a town in Quneitra province, told The Media Line that Israeli soldiers raided the village on Tuesday, confiscated weapons from locals, and later withdrew.
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This marks a new phase in the long-standing Israeli-Syrian conflict. Syria and Israel have technically been at war since Israel’s establishment in 1948, with tensions escalating following the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel occupied the Golan Heights—a strategically vital plateau that remains under Israeli control despite international calls for withdrawal.
Despite sporadic ceasefires and indirect negotiations, the Syrian-Israeli border remains a flashpoint. Since Syria’s civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has frequently conducted airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias operating in Syria, citing security concerns.
With the Assad regime’s fall, Israeli military operations appear to have intensified, with ongoing reports of cross-border raids and clashes with local armed groups.
Syria’s National Security Council Faces Uncertain Future
As Syria attempts to rebuild its shattered political landscape, the formation of the National Security Council signals an effort to centralize decision-making and address both internal strife and external threats.
However, the council’s ability to navigate these challenges remains uncertain, given Syria’s ongoing instability and volatile political reality.