Al-Sharaa: Syria nears US deal with 'Israel, warns of risks
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Syria's transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa says a US-brokered deal with "Israel" is close, warns of disaster if QSD is not integrated by year's end
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Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa walks in the presidential palace ahead of a meeting in Damascus, Syria on December 28, 2024. (AP)
Syrian transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa confirmed in statements to Turkish media that Syria is nearing a US-mediated security agreement with "Israel". According to al-Sharaa, the agreement could be finalized in the coming days.
He emphasized that the agreement would be similar to the 1974 disengagement accord and clarified that it does not indicate any form of normalization between Damascus and "Tel Aviv", nor is it related to the so-called Abraham Accords.
Al-Sharaa added that the recent targeting of the Syrian Ministry of Defense by "Israel" constitutes an act of war, but noted that a security agreement has become inevitable under the current regional dynamics.
“Syria knows how to fight,” he said, “but it no longer wants war.”
In the same interview, al-Sharaa warned of serious consequences if the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is not achieved by the end of the year.
He revealed that certain factions within SDf and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) had disrupted the March agreement and slowed down the integration process, further complicating the political landscape in northeastern Syria.
According to al-Sharaa, the status quo in the northeast poses a threat to the national security of both Turkey and Iraq. He noted that Ankara had been persuaded not to launch a military operation against SDf, allowing time for negotiations to continue following the eventual fall of the Assad government.
However, he issued a stark warning: If integration is not achieved by December, Turkey may resort to military action.
Talks amid ongoing aggression, occupation
Israeli media outlets reported Thursday that a lengthy meeting took place in London between Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and al-Shibani, with Barrack mediating.
According to Israeli outlets, the five-hour meeting included Syria’s formal response to an Israeli proposal for a security agreement. The same reports, however, suggested skepticism in Tel Aviv, with i24NEWS noting that chances of reaching a deal in the near future had receded despite what it called “intensive intervention” by US President Donald Trump.
These discussions come against the backdrop of persistent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, Israeli military occupation of several posts in southern Syria, and Israeli ground incursions. Publicly, Damascus has condemned Israeli interference and aggression, reiterating that southern Syria remains an integral part of the country.
The core issues under discussion include activating monitoring mechanisms for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, halting Israeli aerial violations, and establishing clearer security parameters. While "Israel" has demanded demilitarized zones and security guarantees, Syria has emphasized sovereignty and territorial unity as red lines.
