Will al-Sharaa’s Israel Outreach Lead to Syria’s Collapse?

Amid what is reported to be a warming of ties between Israel and Syria, now led by interim President Ahmed al-Shara, the possibility of yet another uprising in Damascus has picked up steam in recent days.

Opposition factions opposing al Sharaa are allegedly preparing for a possible military response to his openness with Israel.

According to the Lebanese outlet Al-Akhbar, a media source with Hezbollah terrorist ties, these opposition groups have recently sought weapons and tactical training for operatives in the area. Their objective appears to be preparing for a potential conflict with the regime, which they see as heading toward normalization with Israel.

Kan 11 journalist Roy Kays reports that Syrian opposition members are not just contemplating resistance against al-Sharia’s rule but are also weighing independent action against Israeli incursions into Syrian territory. They argue these raids are being met with silence from the new government. In southern Syria, local voices express support for the government’s efforts to protect national unity and dismantle terror cells, but they categorically reject any normalization with Israel.

This development is only the latest in a series of unsettling events. Chief among them is increasing outrage from Iran regarding Syria’s warming ties with Israel. Iranian authorities have openly labeled al-Sharaa a “puppet of the Mossad,” accusing him of approving the transfer of Israeli spy Eli Cohen’s archive to Israel. According to Syrian insiders who spoke with Reuters, this transfer was sanctioned by Damascus leadership as a goodwill gesture toward the Trump administration, aimed at easing regional tensions.

Simultaneously, pro-Iranian Palestinian figures have reportedly been expelled from Damascus under pressure from the new authorities, as reported by AFP.

The Iranian response has been swift and sharp, with allied factions in the region joining in denouncing al-Sharaa’s government.

To stabilize the situation, regional players like Qatar and Saudi Arabia are attempting to bolster the new regime with military support and financial assistance. Still, experts warn these efforts might fall short, possibly triggering another internal conflict that could spiral into a broader regional war—seriously endangering the fledgling peace efforts between Syria and Israel.