Daily Analysis | What are Al-Jolani's objectives in taking a stance against Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi?

Pars Today — Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the head of Syria's interim government, has claimed in remarks that he is concerned about the presence of Iraqi armed groups and Hashd al-Shaabi forces in the border areas between Iraq and Syria.

Al-Jolani, who was the leader of a terrorist group, succeeded in 2024—with Western support, the Zionist regime, and some regional countries—in overthrowing Bashar al-Assad's government and seizing power in Syria. Now, the terrorist leader in Syria, backed by the US, claims to be worried about Hashd al-Shaabi's presence on the Iraq-Syria border. The question is: what are al-Jolani's objectives in expressing such concern?

The reality is that al-Jolani's expressed concern is fundamentally without national basis. In other words, he is not worried for Syria—because if he truly had such concern, he should welcome Hashd al-Shaabi's presence on the Iraq-Syria border. Hashd al-Shaabi is a provider of security and has extensive experience in confronting terrorist threats. By raising such statements, al-Jolani is attempting to gain international legitimacy for himself.

On the other hand, al-Jolani, who is pursuing the lifting of sanctions on Syria, is trying to align himself with Western interests by taking a stance against Iraq's Resistance. In fact, this remark is a form of currying favor with the US and seeking to gain the approval of the American president.

Another point is that by taking a stance against Hashd al-Shaabi, al-Jolani is attempting to portray the Resistance as a regional threat. Although this type of remark will not change the global perception of the Syrian president's terrorist nature, al-Jolani is trying to swap the roles—presenting himself as an anti-terrorism force while depicting Hashd al-Shaabi as a threat to the region. This stance also aligns with US policies and Washington's pressure on Baghdad to disarm Resistance groups.

Another issue is that al-Jolani made these remarks at a time when he is preparing to sign a security pact with the Zionist regime. In other words, al-Shara (al-Jolani) is using this perspective to try to convince the Zionist regime to conclude a security agreement with Syria. This comes while the Zionist regime, following the fall of Assad's government, has occupied parts of Syrian territory and is unwilling to withdraw from these areas.

It should also be noted that by taking a stance against Iraq's Resistance, al-Jolani is trying to divert public attention from internal violence and Syria's political developments. Since al-Jolani took power in Syria, at least 15,000 people have been killed in the country, there is no news of elections being held, and al-Jolani has formed a government composed of his like-minded associates.

Finally, remarks by figures like al-Jolani cannot pose a serious challenge to Iraq's Resistance; they are merely a deflection tactic regarding internal developments and al-Jolani's terrorist nature, as well as a form of serving the interests of the US and the Zionist regime.