Soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army chanted anti-Jewish threats, including 'I am coming for you Jew…I will make your blood flow in rivers,' while standing in formation outside the historic Damascus Citadel on Saturday, according to Arab media reports and footage published on Sunday. The Arabic channel Al Araby TV reported the soldiers also chanted 'Allahu akhbar' and 'I will sacrifice my body' in protest of the situation in Gaza.
Syrian Arab Army soldiers chant anti-Jewish slogans outside Damascus Citadel
Soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army chanted anti-Jewish threats, including 'I am coming for you Jew…I will make your blood flow in rivers,' while standing in formation outside the historic Damascus Citadel on Saturday, according to Arab media reports and footage published on Sunday. The Arabic channel Al Araby TV reported the soldiers also chanted 'Allahu akhbar' and 'I will sacrifice my body' in protest of the situation in Gaza.
The demonstration came after Israel rejected a 15-point plan for the Gaza Strip proposed by the Board of Peace, which had demanded Hamas first be disarmed, according to the source.
Public statements and chants from Syrian security officials against Israel have intermittently circulated online since Ahmed al-Sharaa seized control of Syria in 2024. In December, footage showed members of the 60th Division threatening Israel.
Syria's new government has simultaneously sought to project a more moderate image internationally. Al-Sharaa was previously designated a wanted terrorist by Washington for his role as leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Damascus announced months ago that it had thwarted a planned attack on a rabbi in the capital, and reports have emerged of hotels offering kosher menus and efforts to return seized assets to Syrian Jews.
The National reported in June that Damascus was investing heavily in expanding its military, with plans to double its forces to 200,000 personnel. The expanded force would reportedly include foreign fighters and members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other radical groups, some of whom would be offered citizenship in exchange for service.
- The source does not state whether the Syrian government has responded to or commented on the Damascus Citadel chanting incident.
- The source does not identify who organized the demonstration or whether it was officially sanctioned by the Syrian Arab Army.
- The source does not state the number of soldiers who participated in the demonstration.
- The source does not name or describe the Board of Peace beyond identifying it as the body that proposed the 15-point Gaza plan.
- The source does not state which Arab media outlets originally reported the footage or provide details on how it was verified.
- The source does not specify what sectarian attacks last year left thousands dead, beyond noting that Alawite, Druze, and Christian minorities continue to face attacks.
Read the original at The Jerusalem Post