The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Friday denied reports claiming that Syria would sign a security agreement with Israel next September.
The New Arab’s affiliate Al-Araby TV quoted a source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry as saying that media reports regarding this are not true.
According to the source, Israel is open to withdrawing to lines originally set in the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel, once “stability” is achieved in southwestern Syria.
Following the fall of the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel, which has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since 1967, invaded areas of southwestern Syria beyond the 1974 disengagement lines.
It has also regularly launched airstrikes on Syria, claiming that some of these were to “protect” Syria’s Druze community, amid clashes between Druze militias based in Suweida province, government forces, and Bedouin tribal fighters.
The Syrian foreign ministry also said that the Syrian government had rejected a request by Israeli Druze spiritual leader Mowafaq Tarif to visit Syria unless he committed to the territorial integrity of the country.
The foreign ministry denial came after Independent Arabia reported on Thursday, citing what it described as senior Syrian sources, that Syria and Israel would sign a security agreement, under US sponsorship on September 25.
Independent Arabia claimed that the signing of the agreement would happen after Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa delivered a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York.
Wael Alwan, a researcher at the Jusoor Center for Studies, told The New Arab’s sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the relationship between the Syrian government and Israel is very complicated, and understandings cannot be reached unless Israel makes some gesture to halt its military and security interference in Syria.
He added that Israel has overrun areas of Syria, continues its attacks, and interferes in Syria’s internal affairs.
Alwan added that the main problem is that Israel, emboldened by its military might and excessive use of force in the region in general, has become non-committal even regarding agreements it has signed and promises it has already given.
Consequently, there are no real guarantees of Israel’s compliance.
He said however that United States is genuinely trying to push Syria and Israel toward a real ceasefire and a long-term sustainable truce.
