Syrian Journalists And Activists Celebrate Israel's Attack On Iran: This Is One Of Our Most Joyous Days

Memri

19-06-2025

The war between Israel and Iran has generated widespread media and political discourse throughout the Middle East, including in Syria, where many are celebrating the Israeli strikes in Iran and the elimination of numerous senior members of Iran's security establishment. Many Syrians regard this as historical justice in light of Iran's consistent support for the Bashar Al-Assad regime throughout the Syrian civil war, up until his downfall on December 8, 2024. During the war, Iran and its affiliated Shi'ite militias, chief of them Hizbullah, established military bases across Syria and took part in the fighting against Assad's opponents, killing many of them and driving others into exile.[1]
Syrians on social media welcomed the 'humiliation' of Iran and the elimination of its officials, presenting this as punishment for its crimes against Syria and other Arab countries such as Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, and as proof that the Iranian era in the region is over. However, the glee at Iran's misfortune was not accompanied by praise for Israel, which Syrians regard as an enemy as well, especially in light of its current military presence in the south of the country and its repeated attacks on Syrian soil over the years. Some of the writers therefore wished both side success in pummeling each other.
Conversely, the new Syrian regime, headed by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and the Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) organization, has so far refrained from taking a stance on the Israel-Iran war, in contrast to many Arab countries that condemned Israel and sided with Iran.[2]
Israeli airstrikes in Tehran (Aljazeera.net, June 14, 2025)
This report presents a sampling of responses by Syrians welcoming the attacks on Iran.
Syrian Journalist Eiad Charbaji: Look And Revel In The Elimination Of The Leaders Of Evil In Tehran
Syrian journalist Eiad Charbaji called on Syrians to rejoice in what was happening in Iran, writing: "Oh Syrians, look at and revel in the elimination of the leaders of evil in Tehran... We wish the Iranian people health and that this should be an opportunity for it to bring down these Satans who burned us [all] together."[3]
Eiad Charbaji's post on Facebook (Source: Facebook.com/eiad.charbaji, June 13, 2025)
Syrian Journalist Ahmad Kamal: The Day Iran's Nuclear Project Is Destroyed Will Be One Of The Most Beautiful Days In History
Syrian journalist Ahmad Kamal rejoiced at the Israeli strikes on Iran, writing on X: "Today, June 13, 2025, the day of the destruction of Iran's nuclear program, is one of the most joyous days for the Arabs, because today they are freed from the lethal danger that [Iran] was preparing for them. Today the fangs of the Iranian regime have been extracted, and perhaps even its head will be torn off. Today is one of the three most beautiful days in our modern history: the day of the fall of the ethnic Qardahaite[4] [i.e. Assad] regime in Syria; the day of the assassination of the Shi'ite Lebanese Hizbullah commanders; and today."[5]
In another post, Kamal lashed out at those defending Iran because of its aid to the Palestinians, stating that this does not excuse it for its many crimes against other Arabs. He wrote: "Oh asses, as a Muslim country, Iran is not forgiven for its crimes against the Muslims in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. On the contrary, oh asses, it makes it even more grave, and base, and more reprehensible. Indeed, when it is your brother who attacks you, it is a thousand times worse than an attack by some foreign element... There is no justification for what Iran has done and is still doing in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, and it cannot be forgotten... no matter what it does in [support of] Palestine. This is because if a criminal rapes four of your sisters, his crimes will not be forgiven [even] if he helps your fifth sister [fend off] another criminal and rapist..."[6]
Syrian Journalist Adnan Abd Al-Razak: The Blood Curse Has Reached The Murderers – Even If It Came Late
Syrian journalist Adnan Abd Al-Razak, of the Qatari Al-Arabi Al-Jadid daily, wrote on his Facebook page: "[This] is Allah's justice on earth. A year ago, at most, the Syrians had almost lost hope in everything, [including in] all of humanity. At that time, the Persians' plan was almost a reality in the region; the burnishing of the Assad regime's image had increased, and the Syrians' dream of freedom and statehood had almost evaporated. Most Syrians had no option left but to feel frustration, appeal to God for help or [pursue] their individual plans. Then came the liberation of Syria and the overthrow of the criminal regime following the assassination of its supporter in Lebanon [i.e. Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah] and the humiliation of its ally in Tehran, in an event that was more like a miracle...
"Today, justice and the natural course of history are continuing, and Iran is humiliated and paying a price for some of what it has done in the region – killing, expulsion, humiliation, distortion of the present and of history, and doing damage to the future…
I am not saying that I am happy, or gloating, but I am saying that the Persians are the lowest and most dangerous thing for the region, for the Arabs, for Islam, and for humanity..."[7]
Syrian Political Activist: Iran, That Spread Chaos And Violence, Has Reached Its End
Ahmad Ramadan wrote on X that the Iranian era had come to an end and that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be eliminated: "Iran, that threatens its neighbors, has come to an end! I have in the past called it a dismantled state and said that its regime is fragile. Its military and security situation reveal it to be a paper tiger, and the coming attacks will strike at political leaders, including Khamenei. Iran, which sowed chaos and violence, deployed militias, and destroyed and participated in the killing of over three million Arabs, has come to an end forever...
"A new regime is coming to Iran and Iraq, and there will be a change in Yemen and Lebanon (the end of the Houthis and Hizbullah). The Iranian era is over, a different Middle East has begun [to form], and we must all get ready."[8]
Other Syrian Activists Wish Success To Both Iran And Israel
Alongside the condemnation of Iran, several Syrians expressed the wish that Iran and Israel would damage each other. For example, Syrian journalist Nour Abu Hassan wrote on X: "We hope that neither side will act with restraint. Thank you."[9]
Abu Ali Mahamid from southern Syria wrote sarcastically, "We wish victory to both sides."[10]
Syrian Journalist In Saudi Daily: This Is The End of The Iranian Era In The Region, And Of The Obama Doctrine
Similar claims to those posted by Syrians on social media appear in the article by Syrian journalist Aliya Mansour in her column in the Saudi daily Al-Majallah: "After the recent Israeli operation in Iran, we can declare the end of the Iranian era in the region, the end of the era of this country's domination of [other] countries and peoples. We can also declare the end of the disastrous 'Obama doctrine' in the region, [conceived by] a man who wanted Tehran to have the influence and authority in this region, in disregard of the region's identity, [which has a Sunni majority] of the interests of countries that have – or lack – [various] alliances, and of the will of the peoples…
"The first slap sustained by the 'Iranian Empire' project was the elimination of [Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force commander] Qassem Soleimani. [Then] came [more] slaps and blows, one after the other, from the pager operation [by Israel against Hizbullah] to the elimination of Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and the effective removal of [his] party [Hizbullah] from the circle of regional influence, to the elimination of Hamas political bureau head Isma'il Haniya while he was staying in Tehran and the fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime [in Syria], which cut off [Iran's] supply line [via Syria].
"After all of this, Iran was given a chance. It was invited to negotiate about its nuclear project, but it did not conduct itself properly, did not understand the magnitude of the hour and did not realize that its project was over and that its death would be pronounced [either] at the negotiating table or on the battlefield. Today, whether the war will be brief or prolonged, its outcomes are known [in advance]: Tehran will drink the cup of poison and Iran will be restored to the Iranian [people], which will ensure that this loathsome regime will meet its end and the Iranian people will [be given] their chance to speak."[11]