From Fear to Frustration: Syrians Mock Leadership Amid Israeli Airstrikes
Public Discontent Grows as President Ahmad al-Sharaa Remains Silent on Israeli Attacks, Sparking Online Satire.
Watan-In the aftermath of a series of recent Israeli airstrikes on sites within Syria, Syrians widely circulated a satirical comment on social media: “We used to have a president we feared… now we have a president who fears with us.” This sarcastic remark captures the growing disappointment among the Syrian public over the lack of an official response from the new administration under President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Though not a completely new phrase, the comment revives an ongoing public discourse about the relationship between Syrians and their leadership. However, this time it reflects a notable shift: rather than fearing the brutality of the regime, as was common under Bashar al-Assad, the mockery now suggests that the president himself is too fearful to confront Israel or take a firm stance.
While al-Sharaa does not have a record of repression like Assad, the absence of any reaction to the Israeli strikes has been interpreted by some as weakness or complacency. Others, however, view it as a “rational approach” aimed at avoiding escalation with Tel Aviv—especially given Syria’s fragile internal state after years of war.
Between Fear and Resolve: Syrians Question Leadership After Israeli Strikes
President Ahmad al-Sharaa previously stated that Syria “will not be used as a platform” to attack Israel, stressing that the priority now is reconstruction and stability, not entering a new confrontation that the country can ill afford.
In contrast, his father, Hussein al-Sharaa, took a more aggressive tone, declaring: “We will fight you with our bare hands if necessary.” This divergence in rhetoric revealed a potential split in vision—or even political tactics—within the ruling family.
The message behind the Syrians’ sarcastic commentary is clear: the people long for a leader who defends the nation’s dignity, not just one who seeks diplomatic balance. Between a president who instills fear and one who appears fearful, sovereignty and deterrence remain deferred… awaiting a true moment of change.
