Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has confirmed that his government is engaged in indirect negotiations with Israel through mediators in an effort to de-escalate tensions and halt Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris, Al-Sharaa stated, “There are indirect negotiations (with Israel) via mediators to calm and contain the situation so matters don’t reach a point where both sides lose control.” He emphasized that Syria is reaching out to nations with influence over Israel, urging them to apply pressure to prevent further interference in Syrian affairs.
The goal, according to Al-Sharaa, is for Israel to honor the 1974 disengagement agreement brokered by the United Nations. That agreement established a boundary separating Syria from Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a region seized by Israel during the 1967 war. Syria is calling for Israel to pull back to that line and allow UN peacekeepers to return to the buffer zone.
Following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, Israel has expanded its presence in Syria, citing the need to prevent militant threats and the reformation of hostile forces. Initially framed as a temporary measure, Israeli officials have since indicated that their military will remain in Syria for the foreseeable future.
Israel has also established a buffer zone in southern Syria, saying it is meant to safeguard the country’s Druze minority. In a significant development, Israeli Border Police are now reportedly operating within Syrian territory for the first time.
Al-Sharaa criticized these actions, stating they violate the 1974 agreement. “Since we arrived in Damascus, we stated to all relevant parties that Syria is committed to the 1974 agreement,” he said.
On Wednesday, a report suggested that the United Arab Emirates had facilitated a secret communication channel between Israel and Syria, focusing on security coordination and confidence-building measures. The report cited unnamed sources and noted that Al-Sharaa had visited the UAE recently.
However, UAE Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Lana Nusseibeh firmly denied those claims. “The claim that the UAE is ‘mediating secret talks’ between Syria and Israel is categorically false. The UAE is not part of any such talks,” she stated.