Former Vice President of Syria Abdul Haleem Khaddam considered that the Israeli aircraft flying over the Presidential Palace in Latakia revealed a major flaw in the structure of the Syrian regime. He stated in a released statement that “national responsibility requires all Syrians to question the reasons behind the deterioration, weakness, violation of Syrian airspace, and the disregard for its dignity, as well as the reasons for the success of our brother Lebanon in liberating its south and the Syrian regime’s failure to regain the occupied Golan Heights and protect its airspace.”
Khaddam pointed out that the regime’s officials prioritizing their interests over those of the nation played a significant role in the crises facing Syria. This approach led to a decline in growth and progress, a decrease in the standard of living, and an inability to meet the requirements of national defense.
He emphasized that Syria’s major problem is that “its authority lacks a sense of national responsibility and follows policies that have burdened the country, weakened its ability to protect itself, and defend its rights.” He stated that the significant mistakes were committed due to monopolizing power and sidelining the role of the people from the critical decision made after March 8, transforming the army from the national army into an ideological army under the title of the ideological army.
Many question why the resistance in Lebanon succeeded in liberating the south while the Golan Heights remained occupied, and there is an incapacity to protect the country’s airspace. Khaddam simplified the answer, stating that the freedom enjoyed by the Lebanese gave them the ability to support the resistance and bear the burdens of Israeli military operations.
Khaddam considered the issue of the Golan to be not a priority for the ruling family in Syria, as it lacks a sense of national responsibility and an awareness of the danger threatening the country. For them, the nation is a collection of interests provided by corruption and repression.