This handout photograph released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency shows Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa (C) attending the early morning prayers for Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Damascus on March 20, 2026. (Credit: SANA/AFP)
BEIRUT — Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Friday that he is working to keep his country away from any conflict, emphasizing that Damascus maintains good relations with all countries in the region, in a speech delivered after Eid al-Fitr prayers in Damascus.
"What is happening now is a major and rare event in history ... We are evaluating our steps with extreme care and working to keep Syria away from any conflict. It is important to remember that Syria has always been a theater of conflicts and struggles over the past 15 years and even before, but today, it is in agreement with all countries, both regionally and internationally, while expressing its total solidarity with Arab countries," he said.
He emphasized that his country has entered "a new phase, transforming Syria from a theater of conflict into an influential actor for stability and security."
The Syrian president’s remarks come after several Israeli strikes hit Syrian army infrastructure in the southern province of Sweida on Friday morning, "in response to attacks targeting Druze civilians," according to a statement released Friday by the Israeli military.
American and Israeli pressure has also been exerted on Damascus in recent days to push it into a military confrontation with Hezbollah in eastern Lebanon, in parallel with the ground offensive launched by Israel in southern Lebanon.
Hopes for a $60 billion GDP
Sharaa also addressed the country’s economic situation, saying that the state budget for 2026 stood at "about $10.5 billion," nearly triple that of the previous year.
He indicated that the gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to reach "between $60 and $65 billion" this year, adding that the economy could return to its 2010 levels, before the start of the Syrian civil war, and allow for "an improvement in services."
He said that his government would prioritize "the closure of displacement camps and the return of populations," with funds allocated for the reconstruction of infrastructure in the most affected zones, while acknowledging that "reconstruction will take time."
Sharaa also said that public spending reached "about $3.5 billion in 2025," while GDP was "about $32 billion, after growth of 30 percent to 35 percent." He added that a fund dedicated to infrastructure of at least $3 billion will be financed by public expenditure.
He said this additional funding will go to northeastern regions such as Deir al-Zor, Hassakeh and Raqqa, which were heavily damaged during the war against the Islamic State group, with a focus on services, while about 40 percent of the 2026 budget will be dedicated to health and education.
He said that territories recently retaken by the government in northeastern Syria, previously held by the Kurdish autonomous administration, have allowed the state to regain control of key resources.
The country is also attracting more foreign investment as part of its reconstruction, particularly with the support of Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia for major infrastructure projects, as well as a port deal signed by DP World worth about $800 million.
Later, Defense Minister Israel Katz commented on the Israeli army’s strike in southern Syria overnight, saying, “The message to the Syrian regime is clear and unmistakable: Israel will not stand idly by and will not allow anyone to harm the Druze.”
He added, “If necessary, we will strike with greater force. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have clearly stated and warned: anyone who harms the Druze in Syria, the brothers of our Druze brothers in Israel, will be punished,” the minister further warned.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil