Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara recently shared promising news, indicating that his country is actively negotiating a potential agreement with Israel. This deal aims to significantly reduce tensions along their shared border, with an accord possibly being reached in a matter of days.
For decades, Syria and Israel have been official adversaries. However, since leading rebels to overthrow dictator Bashar al-Assad last December, President al-Shara has adopted a distinctly more conciliatory foreign policy.
Israel, citing self-defense concerns, has maintained an occupation of territory in southern Syria and conducted numerous airstrikes within the country, some striking perilously close to the presidential palace where President al-Shara now works. Despite this history, officials from his government have been engaged in US-mediated talks with the Israelis for several months, working towards a comprehensive security arrangement for southern Syria.
Addressing a gathering of researchers and journalists in Damascus late Wednesday, President al-Shara expressed Syria’s deep weariness from over 13 years of civil war. He emphasized his government’s commitment to fostering peace with its neighbors.
“We could reach an agreement at any moment,” he stated regarding the ongoing discussions with Israel. The key challenge, he cautioned, would be ensuring Israel’s adherence to such a pact.
Analysts note that Syria’s economy and military were severely debilitated during the civil war, leaving the nation with limited bargaining power in these negotiations. Israeli officials have previously indicated their intention to maintain a military presence in Syria to prevent hostile forces from establishing themselves near their borders. They also seek to keep southern Syria free from Syrian government troops.
The precise objectives of the current talks remain somewhat ambiguous. Ron Dermer, Israel’s minister of strategic affairs and the lead negotiator with Syrian officials, did not immediately comment on the matter.
Officially at war since 1948, Israel and Syria’s most persistent dispute has centered on the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau Israel captured during the 1967 Middle East War and later annexed.
In 1974, the two nations signed an agreement that established a UN-patrolled buffer zone, leading to decades of relative calm along the border. However, with the overthrow of Mr. al-Assad, Israeli officials declared the previous accord void until stability was re-established in Syria.
President al-Shara reiterated on Wednesday that his government continues to honor the 1974 armistice agreement, despite repeated Israeli violations. He clarified that the current discussions aim to forge new border arrangements that echo the 1974 agreement, including the establishment of a buffer zone and oversight by international forces.
He further noted that the disputed status of Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights, territories currently under Israeli control, are not subjects of the present talks.
Euan Ward provided additional reporting for this article.