Syrian Foreign Minister Expects Security Talks With Israel to Resume Despite Distrust

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad stated on Saturday that Syria does not trust Israel following an Israeli Defense Forces strike in Syria on May 18. Despite this distrust, al-Miqdad expressed hope that negotiations regarding a security agreement between the two countries would soon resume. He revealed that the two sides had reached preliminary agreements earlier this year, including the establishment of UN-controlled buffer zones along the border, but talks were halted after the Israeli attack.

Al-Miqdad called on Israel to seize what he described as a "historic opportunity for diplomacy" and emphasized the priority of stopping Israeli strikes. He said, "We do not trust Israel right now, but we believe there should be contact. If the contact does not yield results, we will not need it." He accused Israel of using brute force to maintain its security without success and noted ongoing Israeli airspace violations and raids in southern Syria. Al-Miqdad also stressed Syria’s focus on reconstruction and insisted Israel must respect Syrian security concerns.

In a related commentary, Israeli diplomat and international relations expert Dr. Alon Liel warned of potential escalation involving Turkey in Syria. He cautioned that while direct conflict between the Israeli and Turkish militaries is unlikely, tensions could escalate within Syria. Liel highlighted Turkey’s growing influence in Syria and its alliance with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, noting Turkey’s NATO membership and defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He urged Israel to prepare for a complex regional dynamic, including the challenge of maintaining air superiority in the Middle East.

The Syrian foreign minister’s statements and Liel’s analysis underscore the fragile and complex security situation in Syria, involving Israel, Syria, Turkey, and other regional actors. The prospect of renewed Israeli-Syrian negotiations remains uncertain amid ongoing military tensions and broader geopolitical challenges.