Netanyahu Confirms Ongoing Security Talks with Syria, Linked toโข Regional Stability
JERUSALEM – israeli primeโ Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sundayโ that negotiations withโ syria regarding โฃa security agreement are underway, but cautioned that a final accord remains “not imminent.” The โtalks,reportedly accelerated under American pressure,are contingent on several key conditions,including theโข disarmamentโฃ of southwestern Syria โฃand guarantees for the safety โand security of theโฃ Druze community โคwithin the country.
These โdiscussions representโ a potential shift in regional dynamics, signaling a cautious re-engagement โคbetween Israel and Syria after yearsโ of conflict and strained relations. A security agreement could address โIsraeli concerns about Iranian influence near its border โคand potentially pave the way for โa de-escalationโข of โขtensions in the region. However, the negotiations fall short of โaโ comprehensive peaceโฃ treaty, with Syriaโ primarily seeking the return of territories recently seized.
According to sources โขfamiliar with the talks, Damascus hopes the agreement will led to theโ restoration of its standing on the international stage, a sentimentโ echoed by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara during his address toโค the United Nations General Assembly. Al-Sharaโ stated, “Syria is restoring its right place amongโ theโ countries of theโข world,” โwhile simultaneously criticizing Israel forโ continued threatsโ as โDecember and policies he โclaims endanger regional stability.
Netanyahu’s โขcomments follow Al-Shara’s speech, where the Syrian President reaffirmed Syria’s commitment โขto the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel โand โฃcalled on โฃthe international community to support Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ongoing negotiations underscore โa complex interplay of regional interests and โsecurity โฃconcerns, with the United States playing a key role in facilitating dialog between the two โnations.