Syria expects security negotiations with Israel to resume soon despite deep mistrust between the two sides, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said, calling on Israel to seize what he described as a potential “historic opportunity” for diplomacy.
The talks, aimed at reaching a security agreement, have been stalled since the outbreak of the Iran war, while direct contact between Damascus and Israel was cut following an Israeli strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase earlier this week. No date has yet been set for a new round of negotiations.
Syria Seeks End to Israeli Military Actions
Al-Shaibani said Damascus’ immediate priority is to stop Israeli military attacks and secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory seized after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
He acknowledged that Syria currently does not trust Israel, arguing that confidence-building measures would be necessary for meaningful progress. Damascus has also accused Israel of conducting repeated military operations and violating Syrian sovereignty, while Israel has cited security concerns for its actions.
According to al-Shaibani, Syria and Israel had reached agreement “on paper” on much of a proposed security arrangement earlier this year. The framework reportedly includes several security zones near the Israeli border, including a buffer area where United Nations forces would be present, alongside restrictions on military deployments.
U.S. Push for a Security Agreement
The United States has spent more than a year attempting to broker a security arrangement between Israel and the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Washington is also working on a mechanism designed to prevent clashes involving Israel, Syria and Turkey.
Recent tensions have complicated those efforts. Israel’s strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase was reportedly linked to concerns over possible Turkish military activity at the facility, allegations that Syria and Turkey have denied. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has criticized the strike, while Israeli officials have defended their security rationale.
Golan Heights Remains a Major Issue
Syria and Israel have technically remained at war since 1948, with the status of the Golan Heights continuing to be one of the most sensitive issues between them. Israel captured the territory from Syria during the 1967 war.
Al-Shaibani indicated that Damascus wants military tensions reduced before broader discussions on peace and the Golan Heights can take place. Despite the current mistrust, he said Syria remains committed to diplomacy, regional stability and rebuilding relations with neighboring countries.
For now, the prospect of renewed talks offers a narrow diplomatic opening, but continued Israeli military activity, Syria’s demand for territorial withdrawal and the lack of trust between the governments could make progress difficult.
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