Security Agreement with Israel: Al-Sharaa Seeks Understanding

Background: State of War Since 1948

Since the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the Israeli army has significantly expanded its operations in southern Syria. Israeli troops advanced into a UN-controlled demilitarized buffer zone between the occupied Golan Heights and Syria and occupied strategic areas, including the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, which overlooks the capital Damascus.

On Sunday, Israeli forces fired on Syrian territory and destroyed a transformer, according to the Syrian state news agency SANA. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, whose visit to Syria was the first by a UN chief since 2009, called for respect for Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. "I would like to remind the international community that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory," he said, according to a statement.

The UN and the Golan Heights

Al-Sharaa, who once participated in Assad's overthrow as a rebel leader, is working, according to his own statements, to restore Syria's international standing, renew relations abroad, and rebuild the economy after nearly 14 years of civil war. His transitional government is proud of the "international administrative recognition" already achieved, according to Syrian circles. Middle East expert Naseef Naeem, however, described the economic situation as "catastrophic."

Syrian government representatives stated that Syria wants to enlist a group of states to encourage Israel toward a more balanced policy. The Syrian government excludes military interventions in Lebanon, according to al-Sharaa's statements. The Shia, Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia and al-Sharaa were opponents during the Syrian civil war.

Diplomatic Avenues in Syria

The Syrian leadership's stance indicates that Damascus is pursuing a diplomatic solution to the decades-long conflict. A security agreement could, in al-Sharaa's words, form the basis for a comprehensive peace. The next steps are likely to be negotiated in the coming weeks through the existing U.S.-supervised communications channel.

Discussions in Germany regarding Syria meanwhile refer to the planned return of 80 percent of Syrians living in Germany. One legal expert described this goal as "illusory." The French president's state visit to Damascus, during which explosions occurred, underscores the ongoing volatility of the regional situation.