Syria Aims to Finalize Security and Military Agreements with Israel by Year-End

TDT | Damascus

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Syria expects to finalize key security and military agreements with Israel by the end of 2025, a Syrian official announced Thursday, signaling a potential breakthrough less than a year after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

As the United States pushes for a settlement between the two neighbouring countries, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Washington to discuss ongoing talks with Israel and the possible lifting of remaining sanctions on Syria, according to the foreign ministry official.

Although Syria and Israel remain technically at war, direct negotiations were initiated following Assad’s removal by an Islamist-led coalition in December last year.

“There is progress in the talks with Israel,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. “Several agreements are expected to be signed by the end of the year, primarily focusing on security and military arrangements, including a plan to halt Israeli military operations inside Syria.”

Since December, Israel has deployed troops in a UN-monitored buffer zone separating the two countries’ forces and carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria, while Damascus has refrained from retaliating.

Last week, President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed that Syria was negotiating a security agreement with Israel that could result in Israel withdrawing from areas it recently occupied.

Syrian and Israeli officials have met on multiple occasions, and a diplomatic source told AFP that a new meeting is scheduled to take place in Baku on Friday.

According to Axios, Shaibani also met with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in London on Wednesday, underscoring ongoing diplomatic efforts to normalize relations.