Syria Claims 90% Agreement with Israel on Security Deal, Citing Golan Heights Standoff
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad stated that Syria and Israel had reached approximately 90% agreement on security arrangements in recent negotiations, but Israel subsequently withdrew from the process. Mekdad indicated that the initial phase of any agreement would involve an Israeli withdrawal from territories captured in southern Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, coupled with new security understandings. He emphasized that the Golan Heights, which Syria considers its sovereign territory, is non-negotiable. Despite this, Mekdad expressed interest in the Abraham Accords earlier in the spring, though the path to a full peace agreement remains distant.
The remaining 10% of the disagreement reportedly centers on key issues including the Golan Heights, the Hermon mountain, demilitarization zones, and freedom of operation. Syria demands a return to pre-December 2024 lines and the full reinstatement of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Israel, however, seeks a largely demilitarized southern Syria with the ability to prevent hostile forces from entering, and has stated its military presence will continue as long as threats persist. Israel currently holds positions on the Syrian side of the Hermon, viewing them as crucial intelligence assets, while Syria considers them occupied territory.
Discussions have also involved proposals for demilitarized areas and joint monitoring mechanisms, with the United States offering mediation. An Israeli proposal from 2025 reportedly outlined zones with varying levels of Syrian military presence and air restrictions in southern Syria. Additionally, Israel requested the ability to assist the Druze population in Sweida, including a humanitarian corridor, a point Damascus feared would undermine its control.
Mekdad reiterated Syria's firm stance on these sticking points during a UN General Assembly address, asserting that the Golan remains Syrian land and all annexation measures are void under UN Security Council Resolution 497. He also noted approximately 500 Israeli air and artillery strikes, over 1,200 ground incursions, and nearly 300 arrests of Syrians, yet still affirmed the existence of a historic opportunity for peace.
Israel's Prime Minister's office has previously denied reaching such a high level of understanding, claiming no agreements of that nature were made. The Syrian narrative suggests a written draft was close to signing before Israel backed out. The article notes that despite the disagreements, the direct engagement between the two nations, including meetings between Syrian and Israeli officials facilitated by the US, signifies a significant advancement from virtually no direct relations to negotiations on a new border security structure.
