Not all Syrians are angry about the Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Social networks show that many Syrians are celebrating the elimination of the Iranian military officials in Damascus and are even thanking Israel for it. It is difficult to ignore the huge wave of joy on social networks, especially from Syrians opposed to the Assad regime, but also from Saudis and Arabs from other countries. It is primarily Sunni Muslims, who see Iranians and Shiites as their archenemies.
One Syrian’s message of thanks.
This is what a Syrian wrote:
“I’m sorry, my dear Palestinians. Cover your eyes and pretend you didn’t see this tweet. As a Syrian who opposes Assad, I cannot find the words to express my feelings about the attack on Iranians in Syria. Thank you, Israel! Blessed are your hands for the attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus. You did what no one in else dared to do. Thank you, Israel.”
Another tweeted:
“Thanks to Israel for the kebab.”
By this he meant the burnt and charred corpses of the Iranians in Damascus.
Another Syrian:
“Thank you, Israel, for giving this unclean sacrifice as a gift to Muslims.”
Yet another:
“Thank you, Israel. Every poison has its antidote.”
The Syrians have suffered under Iran, but no one in the West seems to care.
At local markets in parts of Syria, the Israeli strike was celebrated with sweets and surprise sales.
Syrians distribute baklawa…wait for it…for the targeted assassination of IRGC’s Mohammad Reza Zahedi by Israeli airstrike yesterday. pic.twitter.com/HA6VgcgYAg
— Tirza Shorr (@ShorrTirza) April 2, 2024
These are just a few examples of many on social media in the Sunni environment of the Middle East. I always emphasize that the Sunnis hate the Shiites and the Iranians, and Israel knows how to take advantage of that situation.
Israel can unite the many haters of Iran and Hezbollah in the Middle East, especially in Syria and Lebanon, whether quietly and behind closed doors, or as open alliances. As soon as the Sunnis sense a real change in the balance of power in the Middle East, they will feel more secure and openly take military action against the Iranian and Shiite enemy. The Shiites have made many enemies in the Middle East who are just waiting for the right time to declare war. Israel should take advantage of this tactical moment. The enemies of Iran and its Shiite Hezbollah militia outnumber the Shiite proxies in the region. All they need is a connection, and that explains why Israel dared to carry out such a major assassination in the heart of Damascus.
Over the past two months, Hezbollah and the Iranians have repeatedly accused their Sunni foes of collaborating with Israel in its targeted strikes in Lebanon and Syria, strikes that could only be possible with precise human intelligence. That’s true, and that’s why the Sunnis celebrate the attack on the Iranian headquarters in Damascus, and warmly thank the Israelis, who were the only ones in the Middle East who had the courage to do it. Israel must urgently make greater use of this hostility among Muslims to avoid a multi-front war with Iran and its proxies. Or, if war comes, to drag them into the war against Iran and Hezbollah. Incidentally, the archenemies of the Iranians also include the Sunni jihadists of ISIS and their ‘caliphate.’ This could be the long-awaited game changer for Israel in the Middle East against the Iranian threat.
Meanwhile, Israel is being praised by Sunni Muslims for its heroics in Damascus. Only in the West are Israel’s actions still grossly misunderstood.
