Al-Sharaa Moves Syria Toward a Deal with Israel Despite Ongoing Aggression
Syrian Transitional President signals willingness to finalize agreement despite ongoing Israeli aggression and occupation
Syria, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa confirmed in remarks to Turkish media that Damascus is nearing a US-mediated security agreement with "Israel", potentially to be finalized within days.
Al-Sharaa likened the prospective arrangement to the 1974 disengagement accord, stressing that it “does not represent normalization” with Tel Aviv and is unrelated to the Abraham Accords.
Contradictions Amid Ongoing Aggression
Despite his admission that Israel’s recent strike on the Syrian Ministry of Defense amounted to “an act of war,” al-Sharaa maintained that a new security agreement had become “inevitable” under present regional dynamics.
He also stated that Israel’s recent strike on the Syrian Ministry of Defense constituted an act of war, but added that a security agreement had become inevitable under current regional dynamics.
“Syria knows how to fight, but it no longer wants war,” he said.
Such statements reflect political weakness, with Syria forced into concessions while Israeli forces continue their repeated airstrikes, ground incursions, and occupation of southern Syrian posts.
Kurdish Integration Crisis
In the same interview, al-Sharaa shifted focus to internal divisions in northeastern Syria. He cautioned that failure to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) by year’s end would bring “serious consequences,” blaming certain factions within the SDF and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for disrupting a March agreement.
He claimed the status quo threatened the security of both Turkey and Iraq and suggested Ankara had been convinced to delay a military offensive, pending negotiations after the fall of the Assad government.
But he warned that Turkey may resort to military action if the integration is not finalized by December — raising concerns of further instability in the region.
Talks in London Under US Mediation
Israeli outlets reported Thursday that Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met in London with Syrian envoy al-Shibani, with former US official Tom Barrack mediating.
The five-hour meeting reportedly included Syria’s formal response to an Israeli proposal for a security arrangement.
However, i24NEWS admitted skepticism remains in Tel Aviv, noting that the likelihood of an imminent deal had diminished despite what it called “intensive intervention” by US President Donald Trump.
Sovereignty vs. Demands for Concessions
The core issues under discussion involve reactivating mechanisms from the 1974 disengagement agreement, halting Israeli aerial violations, and establishing clearer security parameters. “Israel” has demanded demilitarized zones and additional guarantees, while Syria has emphasized sovereignty and territorial unity as red lines.
Observers note the irony of Damascus being asked to negotiate under bombardment, with Israeli jets striking Syrian territory and civilian infrastructure on a near-daily basis.
For many in the region, any agreement signed under such circumstances would not reflect peace, but rather capitulation to continued occupation and foreign interference. (PW)