Syria expects to resume negotiations with Israel, aiming for IDF withdrawal, foreign minister says

Syria anticipates the imminent resumption of negotiations with Israel, with the ultimate goal of securing an Israeli withdrawal from Syrian land, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stated. He urged Israel to embrace a "historic opportunity" while diplomatic channels remain open.

In a Reuters interview in Damascus, Shaibani emphasized that Syria's primary objective is to cease Israeli attacks, stressing the need for confidence-building steps. This call comes days after Israel conducted airstrikes on a Syrian airbase, an action Syria and Turkey denied Israel's stated reasons for.

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We believe there should be contact, especially with a party that constantly threatens the security of Syria. But if this contact doesn’t bring results, then we don’t need it.

The United States has been actively seeking to establish a security agreement between Israel and the Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, for more than a year. However, these efforts have faced significant obstacles, including Israeli troop incursions into Syrian territory and strikes on government assets, which Israel justifies by citing security threats.

Shaibani confirmed that security agreement negotiations had been stalled since the onset of the Iran war but expressed confidence they would restart. He noted that direct contact between Syria and Israel ceased following the recent airbase strike. "We believe there should be contact, especially with a party that constantly threatens the security of Syria. But if this contact doesn’t bring results, then we don’t need it," Shaibani said, adding, "We do not trust Israel currently."

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We do not trust Israel currently.

Syrian President Sharaa has asserted that Syria poses no threat to other nations, with Damascus focusing on post-war reconstruction after 14 years of conflict. Israeli officials, however, have voiced concerns about potential dangers emanating from Syria since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, with some characterizing the new Syrian leadership as thinly veiled jihadists, even as Sharaa cultivated close ties with the U.S.

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Israel has tried to maintain its security through brute force, and it hasn’t succeeded anywhere.

Following Assad's fall in 2024, Israel occupied territory in southwestern Syria, citing the need to protect its citizens from attacks, and conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military sites. Shaibani criticized Israel's approach, stating, "Israel has tried to maintain its security through brute force, and it hasn’t succeeded" anywhere. He expressed optimism that negotiations would resume, though no specific date has been set. "The US is trying continuously to put pressure on Israel to return to the dialogue table," he added.

When asked about his optimism, Shaibani remarked, "It’s very hard to bet on Israel." Nevertheless, Syria holds "very great hope" for building stable regional relationships. "Syria is extending its hand for understandings, for peace, for diplomacy" and regional stability. Tensions were highlighted when Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase, alleging Syria was preparing to allow Turkish forces to deploy there, a claim both Syria and Turkey denied.

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I believe negotiations will resume soon.