Israel and Syria are engaged in direct talks focusing “on restricted safety preparations” and the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied in southern Syria after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syrian sources informed dpa.
In keeping with sources near the present Syrian management, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is just not ready to enroll to any broader peace settlement with Israel for now.
The talks, reportedly held in Jordan, contain high-level Syrian officers, together with the defence minister.
Al-Sharaa is demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from areas seized after Assad’s fall and is strongly against any enlargement of the buffer zone in southern Syria, the sources stated.
In a latest press convention in Paris alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, al-Sharaa acknowledged that oblique talks have been happening with Israel by mediators, with the purpose of “calming the state of affairs and stopping a lack of management.”
Regardless of these developments, prospects for actual progress stay unsure.
Israel and Syria have formally been at conflict since 1948. The Golan Heights, occupied by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1981, are a central level of competition.
The annexation is just not internationally acknowledged. Israel deployed further troops to the world following the overthrow of Syria’s long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad and continues to conduct airstrikes in Syria.
Israeli media reported that this could possibly be a primary step towards a “army safety settlement.”
This consists of, amongst different issues, a dedication to adjust to the 1974 ceasefire settlement between Israel and Syria, reported broadcaster N24.
Israeli Overseas Minister Gideon Saar reiterated at a press convention together with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger that Israel is inquisitive about normalizing relations with Syria and its northern neighbour Lebanon.