Syria Seeks Resumption of Security Talks with Israel as Trust Deficit Persists: FM Al-Shaibani

DAMASCUS: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani has said Syria and Israel are expected to resume security talks aimed at reaching an agreement, despite a deep lack of trust between the two sides. He urged Israel to view the current diplomatic opening as a historic opportunity to ease regional tensions.

According to Reuters, Al-Shaibani said security talks between Syria and Israel had stalled following the outbreak of the war with Iran, while recent Israeli military operations had further disrupted direct communication between the two sides. He said Damascus’s immediate priorities were an end to Israeli attacks and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory.

Al-Shaibani said Damascus currently does not trust Israel, but remains committed to diplomacy. He stressed that Israel would need to take concrete measures to reduce tensions and build confidence if negotiations are to make progress.

The Syrian foreign minister said the two sides had previously made progress on several key elements of a potential security agreement, including proposals for demilitarized zones and a United Nations presence in those areas. However, he said the political commitment required to implement such arrangements had not been sustained on the Israeli side.

His remarks came amid renewed tensions following recent Israeli military operations inside Syria. Israel carried out an airstrike on the Abu Al-Zuhur military airbase in northwestern Syria’s Idlib province and also conducted an operation in southern Syria. Israel linked the Abu Al-Zuhur strike to security concerns over a possible Turkish military presence in Syria, a claim rejected by both Damascus and Ankara.

Al-Shaibani also said Syria had no intention of ending its military and defense cooperation with Türkiye. He said Ankara was assisting in the restructuring and rebuilding of the Syrian military and that Damascus intended to continue this cooperation.

Meanwhile, the United States is working on a mechanism involving Syria, Israel and Türkiye aimed at preventing military confrontations and improving communication among the three countries. Washington is seeking to prevent the growing tensions in Syria from escalating into a wider regional conflict.

The presence and military activities of Israeli forces in parts of southern Syria remain a major source of tension between Damascus and Tel Aviv. Syria regards Israeli military operations and advances as violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Israel says its actions are necessary to protect its security interests and counter potential threats.

Despite the tensions, Al-Shaibani said Damascus did not want to close the door to a political and diplomatic solution. He said renewed negotiations could provide an important avenue for ending Israeli military operations in Syrian territory and reducing tensions across the region.

A potential security agreement would likely place significant emphasis on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas where they advanced following the fall of Bashar Assad’s government. Damascus is also seeking guarantees for the protection of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The possible resumption of talks is particularly significant as rising tensions involving Syria, Israel and Türkiye could increase the risk of a broader regional conflict. In this context, the restoration of security talks, potentially with US mediation, could provide an important diplomatic channel for maintaining communication, rebuilding confidence and preventing further escalation.