According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, the Foreign Minister of the Syrian Interim Government, Asad al-Sheybani, met with an Israeli delegation on Tuesday to discuss ways of “de-escalation” between the two neighboring countries. The meeting took place at a time when tensions remain high in southern Syria.
One of the key topics on the table was the security situation in Sweida, where more than 1,400 people are reported to have lost their lives.
Israel stated that its interventions were aimed at protecting the Druze community from attacks by Sunni tribes, while the Damascus government described it as “interference in Syria’s internal affairs.”
A return to the 1974 agreement?
The delegations also focused on monitoring the fragile ceasefire reached on 19 July through U.S. mediation. SANA reported: “These talks are part of the U.S.-mediated diplomatic efforts carried out to strengthen Syria’s security and stability, and to preserve the country’s unity and territorial integrity.”
Another issue addressed was the possibility of returning to the 1974 “disengagement agreement” signed between Syria and Israel, which established a buffer zone between the two countries.
However, despite this framework, Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes and ground operations in southern Syria since December. In July, Israeli air forces targeted the Presidential Palace in Damascus and an army headquarters, after which Syrian forces were forced to withdraw from Sweida.
Although the ceasefire is still formally in effect, tensions persist in Sweida, where the Druze population is concentrated, due to attacks by Damascus forces.
Source: ANF News
