Syria Foreign Minister: Negotiations Seek Withdrawal of Israeli Forces, Not Capitulation to Imposed Terms
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani declared on Saturday that ongoing security negotiations with Israel are strictly aimed at reversing recent military incursions and ending airspace violations, rejecting any notion that Damascus would accept a “fait accompli” imposed by force.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, al-Shaibani clarified the scope of the U.S.-backed talks, emphasizing that Syria’s primary objective is the withdrawal of Israeli forces from territories occupied following the December 8, 2024, collapse of the Assad regime. He explicitly distinguished these discussions from the long-standing dispute over the Golan Heights, occupied since 1967, noting that the current focus is on restoring the status quo ante regarding the 1974 disengagement lines.
“These negotiations will not lead to accepting the reality imposed by Israel in southern Syria,” al-Shaibani told delegates. “Their outcome should be Israel’s withdrawal from areas it entered after December 8, an end to interference in Syria’s internal affairs, and a halt to airspace violations.”
Deep Search: Specifics of the Security Talks
According to diplomatic sources, the talks have moved toward establishing an intelligence-sharing mechanism to de-escalate tensions, though a full security agreement remains elusive. Al-Shaibani cited staggering figures regarding the conflict’s intensity, stating that Syria has endured over 1,000 Israeli airstrikes targeting both military and civilian infrastructure since the transitional government took power.
The Foreign Minister outlined a “realistic path” for Syria’s foreign policy, prioritizing national recovery and reconstruction over new conflicts. However, he drew a hard line on sovereignty, insisting that security must be mutual. “Whoever seeks to preserve their own security must also respect the security of others,” he said, warning that Israel’s current aggressive posture could backfire. “The policy you pursue could become the greatest risk to yourself.”
Background: The Post-Assad Security Vacuum
The current crisis stems from the power vacuum created after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024. In the immediate aftermath, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) advanced beyond the Alpha Line—the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone established after the 1973 war—citing the need to secure their northern border against chaos and potential entrenchment by hostile militias.
Since then, Israel has reportedly expanded its buffer zone significantly into southern Syria. The new Syrian administration, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has struggled to assert full control over these border regions, leading to a fragile security environment that Israel argues necessitates its continued presence.
Objections: Israel’s Security Imperative
Countering the Syrian narrative, Israeli officials maintain that their operations are defensive necessities rather than territorial expansionism. Security analysts in Tel Aviv argue that the collapse of the previous regime left dangerous stockpiles of strategic weapons vulnerable to seizure by radical groups. From this perspective, the incursions and the enforcement of an expanded buffer zone are critical measures to prevent southern Syria from becoming a launchpad for attacks against northern Israeli communities.
Furthermore, Israeli skepticism remains high regarding the transitional government’s ability to police its own territory. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that while Israel is open to security coordination, it is unwilling to relinquish control of strategic observation points until it sees concrete proof that the new Syrian army can effectively prevent hostile deployments near the border.
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