Al-Sharaa’s Adviser: We Nearly Reached a Security Deal with Israel Before It Backed Out

Ahmad Mowaffaq Zaidan, media adviser to Syrian Transitional Prime Minister Ahmad al-Sharaa, confirmed that negotiations between Damascus and Tel Aviv were close to producing a security agreement before Israel withdrew from its commitments at the last moment.

Speaking to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, Zaidan said Syria was “on the verge of finalizing a security accord” with Israel, but that the Israeli side reneged on the preliminary understandings. He stressed that Damascus remains committed to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement signed between the two countries.

Zaidan added that Syrian diplomacy continues to exercise strategic patience in response to Israeli escalation, referring to the airstrikes and ground incursions in southern Syria over recent months.

In a related context, Zaidan noted that Syrian public sentiment toward the United States has become more positive, particularly following reports suggesting that Washington may lift sanctions on Damascus. He also praised Saudi Arabia’s support for Syria, saying it has helped strengthen relations with the U.S.

An Israeli official told Al Arabiya / Al Hadath last week that Syrian-Israeli negotiations are ongoing and close to completion, describing the emerging deal as similar to the 1974 agreement but with minor adjustments, including joint Syrian-Israeli-American presence at specific points such as Mount Hermon.

The same official revealed that there was a preliminary understanding to establish a joint security committee comprising Syria, the United States, and Israel to monitor developments along the border.

According to Reuters, which cited four informed sources in September, the talks stalled in their final phase due to Israeli demands for a corridor toward As-Suwayda.

Over recent months, several rounds of negotiations have been held in Baku, Paris, and London, under U.S. mediation, aiming to create a framework for a security arrangement to reduce tensions along the Syrian-Israeli frontier.

Since the fall of the previous Syrian regime in December, Israel has carried out a series of airstrikes and ground incursions into southern Syria, expanding its presence inside the demilitarized zone established under the 1974 accord.