Security Deal With Israel Is Likely, Syrian President Says

Latest Developments

• Talks in ‘Advanced’ Stage: Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told representatives of Arab media outlets that Syria and Israel are in “advanced” talks on a security pact based on the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, adding that the chances that a deal will be reached are high. Sharaa emphasized that he did not believe it was the right time for a peace deal between the two neighboring states, which have technically been at war since 1948, but added that he “will not hesitate to take” any agreement that benefits Syria.
• Syria to Provide Security Guarantees for Economic Investment: Details of the deal have been discussed during at least two U.S.-mediated meetings between Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani in July and August. Based on reports of the deal taking shape, Syria would agree to a complete demilitarization of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, prevent the entry of any weapons or terrorists that could threaten Israel’s security, and establish a humanitarian corridor to the predominantly Druze Suwayda region. In return, Syria will be rehabilitated by the United States and allied Gulf states after having suffered economically during more than a decade of civil war.
• Syria Aims to Stop Continued IDF Operations: Damascus is also pushing to restore the disengagement line established after the October 1973 war as part of the deal. After Sharaa’s Islamist forces overthrew the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, the IDF took control of the Syrian side of the UN-patrolled buffer zone. Since then, Israel has conducted raids against terrorist cells in southern Syria, as well as airstrikes to protect the Syrian Druze minority against attack by pro-government forces.

FDD Expert Response

“Details can make all the difference between a good agreement and a bad one, yet broadly speaking, a security deal between Israel and Syria would be an excellent thing. Both countries have much higher priorities than clashing with each other — Israel needs to deal with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, while Syria needs to restore its unity and rebuild after a more than a decade of civil war. That said, Israel would have reason to hesitate if Damascus gives no assurances about fair treatment of the Druze.”

“For Sharaa, a security agreement with Israel is the most pragmatic step he can take now, as full normalization remains unrealistic and premature. But the key unresolved issues remain: Israel’s backing of the Druze minority, Israeli demands for a demilitarized south, and continuing Israeli strikes inside Syria. If these issues are resolved, this deal can open the door for cooperation between Damascus and Jerusalem to confront their common adversaries in the region, chief among them the Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization.”