Damascus: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Sunday that ongoing negotiations between Syria and representatives of the Israeli occupation are showing signs of progress, with both sides moving closer to a bilateral security agreement.
At a press conference in Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa said there have been “tangible steps” toward new understandings and emphasized that his government “will not hesitate to take any decision that serves the interests of Syria and the region.”
1974 Disengagement Line
The president said the discussions center on a return to the 1974 disengagement line, which separates Syrian and Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights.
Al-Sharaa said, “Our position remains clear we will root any agreement in the framework of the 1974 disengagement accord.”
“Damascus will approach positively any initiative that advances the interests of Syria and the wider Middle East,” he added.
Paris Meeting
The announcement comes days after Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with Ron Dermer, Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, in Paris on August 20.
The talks, mediated by the United States, reportedly explored ways to ease tensions in Sweida province, stabilize southern Syria, and revive mechanisms tied to the 1974 agreement.
Tensions Over Golan Heights
The negotiations are unfolding against the backdrop of Israel’s expanded presence in the Golan Heights. The territory, seized in 1967, has seen tighter Israeli control since the fall of Syria’s former regime in late 2024.
Also Read | Gaza Journalist Hassan Eslaih Killed in Israeli Airstrike
Reports suggest that over the past seven months, Israeli forces have entrenched their hold on Mount Hermon and created a security strip extending up to 15 kilometers into southern Syria. The move has placed more than 40,000 Syrians within the buffer zone under Israeli administration.