Sharaa secretly building up Syrian military, raising red flags in Israeli security community

Israeli security assessments reveal Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is diverting tax revenues and international aid toward building a large standing army and acquiring weapons systems, rather than investing in infrastructure or civilian welfare. The buildup raises concern in the intelligence community, with assessments indicating Sharaa plans to eventually strike Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militias, and potentially direct force against Israel.

Israeli security assessments reveal that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is secretly diverting most of Syria's resources — from tax revenues to international aid — toward building a large standing army and acquiring advanced weapons systems, rather than investing in infrastructure, rebuilding the country, or improving civilian welfare after 15 years of war. The extremist regime is working to conceal its military expansion strategy, raising concern and red flags within the Israeli intelligence community. According to IDF assessments, Sharaa's operational plans are intended for the point at which he believes he can strike Hezbollah in Lebanon, which he despises, as well as pro-Iranian Shi'ite militias in Iraq. He is waiting for the right moment, combining the completion of advanced stages in his force buildup with a reduction in the US military presence in the region. Meanwhile, European countries led by Germany are providing aid and embracing Sharaa in an effort to stem the flow of refugees and pave the way for their return. Moderate Sunni states including Saudi Arabia and the UAE are working to draw Sharaa closer, investing money and granting honors to soften his agenda despite his jihadist past. Security sources assess that a future confrontation with Israel is only a matter of time, and that Israel missed a historic opportunity to reach an agreement with Sharaa when he was still weak.