Syria and Israel Set for Security Agreements by End of 2025

Syria plans to finalise security and military agreements with Israel by the end of 2025, according to an official statement on September 18, 2023. This development marks a significant shift in relations, occurring less than a year after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The United States is actively promoting a settlement between the two nations, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arriving in Washington to discuss negotiations and the potential lifting of remaining sanctions on Syria.

Although Syria and Israel remain technically at war, recent direct negotiations have emerged following Assad’s removal from power in December 2022. An anonymous official noted, “There is progress in the talks with Israel,” adding that multiple agreements are anticipated to be signed by the year’s end. These agreements will primarily address security and military issues, with a key focus on establishing a framework to halt Israeli military operations within Syrian territory.

Since December 2022, Israel has maintained a military presence in a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating the two countries and has conducted numerous airstrikes in Syria. Despite these actions, Damascus has refrained from retaliatory measures. Last week, President Ahmed al-Sharaa indicated that negotiations are underway to secure a deal that would compel Israel to withdraw from recently occupied areas.

The ongoing dialogue includes multiple meetings between Syrian and Israeli officials, with a new session scheduled in Baku on Friday. According to the US news outlet Axios, Shaibani met with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in London just days prior, following a previous meeting in Paris arranged by US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.

While Israel has called for a demilitarised zone in southern Syria, a military official confirmed that the Syrian military has already removed heavy weaponry from the region. The United States is keen on facilitating an agreement that would end hostilities between the two nations, which have been in a state of conflict since 1948.

Upon his arrival in Washington, Shaibani’s visit was deemed “historic” by the Syrian foreign ministry, signifying Syria’s willingness to engage in direct dialogue with the US and pursue a new chapter in bilateral relations. The last visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Washington occurred in 1999, when Farouk al-Sharaa discussed peace negotiations with Israel.

In April, Shaibani also visited the United Nations headquarters in New York, where he raised Syria’s new flag. He is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly next week, marking the first appearance by a Syrian leader since Nureddin al-Atassi in 1967. Currently, Sharaa remains under UN sanctions and a travel ban due to his previous affiliations with jihadist groups, necessitating special exemptions for his foreign engagements.