Syrian president apologizes over father’s controversial remarks
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has apologized to the people of Deir ez-Zor after controversial remarks by his father sparked outrage among residents and on social media.
Hussein al-Sharaa, a researcher and father of the Syrian interim president, said during a recent interview with Saudi-based Asharq News that the people of the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province are “barbaric” and “loud-voiced.”
He claimed that the Shawaya are “better than the people of Deir ez-Zor, who have neither understanding nor education.” He further described the Shawaya as “civilized,” while saying the people of Deir ez-Zor are “barbaric, loud-voiced,” involved in animal slaughtering, and “are nothing.”
The term Shawaya is sometimes used derogatorily to describe rural or less-educated communities.
The remarks triggered protests in the streets of Deir ez-Zor - which was largely under the control of Kurdish-led forces before Damascus regained control earlier this year - as well as widespread backlash online.
Hussein al-Sharaa later claimed in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday that his interview had been manipulated.
“To our people in dear Deir ez-Zor, what was said in the interview was presented out of context intentionally. My answer was clear regarding all of Syria, its cities and countryside alike, that there is a divide between them due to the exclusionary policies that the rural population has suffered from. The remarks were not intended against the people of Deir ez-Zor. This was altered during editing,” he said.
However, the explanation did little to calm tensions, with many residents continuing to express anger over the remarks.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who became Syria’s interim president after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2025, later contacted Deir ez-Zor officials and tribal figures to apologize.
“There was a slip in the interview and some remarks were taken out of context. We apologize for this slip on behalf of our father to the people of Deir ez-Zor, both in the countryside and the city,” he can be heard saying in the call.
“My father’s words hurt me before they hurt the people of Deir ez-Zor. Your rights are preserved, and let them wipe it on our beard,” he added.
Hussein al-Sharaa, a researcher and father of the Syrian interim president, said during a recent interview with Saudi-based Asharq News that the people of the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province are “barbaric” and “loud-voiced.”
He claimed that the Shawaya are “better than the people of Deir ez-Zor, who have neither understanding nor education.” He further described the Shawaya as “civilized,” while saying the people of Deir ez-Zor are “barbaric, loud-voiced,” involved in animal slaughtering, and “are nothing.”
The term Shawaya is sometimes used derogatorily to describe rural or less-educated communities.
The remarks triggered protests in the streets of Deir ez-Zor - which was largely under the control of Kurdish-led forces before Damascus regained control earlier this year - as well as widespread backlash online.
Hussein al-Sharaa later claimed in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday that his interview had been manipulated.
“To our people in dear Deir ez-Zor, what was said in the interview was presented out of context intentionally. My answer was clear regarding all of Syria, its cities and countryside alike, that there is a divide between them due to the exclusionary policies that the rural population has suffered from. The remarks were not intended against the people of Deir ez-Zor. This was altered during editing,” he said.
However, the explanation did little to calm tensions, with many residents continuing to express anger over the remarks.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, who became Syria’s interim president after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2025, later contacted Deir ez-Zor officials and tribal figures to apologize.
“There was a slip in the interview and some remarks were taken out of context. We apologize for this slip on behalf of our father to the people of Deir ez-Zor, both in the countryside and the city,” he can be heard saying in the call.
“My father’s words hurt me before they hurt the people of Deir ez-Zor. Your rights are preserved, and let them wipe it on our beard,” he added.