Latest news with #DisengagementofForcesAgreement
Shafaq News
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israel and Syria Paris talks: Agree to continue dialogue
Shafaq News – Paris Israel and Syria have agreed to continue direct talks following a rare meeting in Paris, marking the first publicly confirmed high-level contact between the two sides in years, Syrian media quoted a diplomatic source as saying on Saturday. The meeting, mediated by US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, brought together Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, alongside intelligence officials from both countries. A senior Syrian diplomatic source told state broadcaster Ekhbariya that the dialogue was 'honest and responsible,' underscoring a mutual willingness to prevent further escalation. According to Syrian accounts, the talks focused on recent flare-ups in Suwayda province, where intercommunal violence between Druze and Bedouin groups, followed by Israeli airstrikes, raised fears of broader instability. The Syrian delegation insisted on the country's territorial integrity, rejected any unauthorized foreign presence, and demanded Israel's withdrawal from newly occupied positions. Damascus also called for the reactivation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement with international guarantees. The source added that Syria conveyed firm opposition to external attempts to fragment the state or foster sectarian divisions through the creation of parallel entities. Instead, it emphasized a national consensus around reconstruction and political unity. While Washington framed the talks as a first step toward de-escalation, officials stressed that the process remains fragile. Barrack, confirmed that the goal of reopening channels of communication had been 'precisely accomplished' and that follow-up talks are expected.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Syria: UN Chief Urges De-escalation As Sweida Violence Escalates, Israel Strikes Damascus
16 July 2025 News reports estimate that the sectarian violence in the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, south of the capital, has killed more than 200. Israel explained its attacks in the heart of the capital and on pro-government forces in Sweida as a defensive move in support of the Druze community, which has a significant presence within Israel and in the Israeli-occupied Golan. The strikes on the defence ministry in Damascus also hit an area near the presidential palace, according to news reports and Syrian authorities. Pledging to protect the Druze minority but also following up on its threat to attack any Syrian military operations taking place south of the capital, Israel said it would intensify strikes if government forces did not withdraw from the region, according to news reports. Syrians 'robbed' of opportunity for peace ' The Secretary-General is alarmed by the continued escalation of violence in Sweida ' and 'unequivocally condemns all violence against civilians,' said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Wednesday. It was the second day in a row that the UN chief has intervened to highlight the increasing civilian toll and 'reports of arbitrary killings and acts that fan the flames of sectarian tensions and rob the people of Syria of their opportunity for peace.' Mr. Guterres further condemned Israel's 'escalatory airstrikes' on Sweida, Daraa and central Damascus, together with 'reports of the IDF's redeployment of forces in the Golan,' the highly-contested mountainous region along the border of the two countries. The UN also called on Israel to cease any violations of Syria's sovereignty and respect for the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. The UN chief also reiterated the need to support 'a credible, orderly and inclusive political transition in Syria in line with the key principles of Security Council Resolution 2254.' Extending his condolences to the people of Syria, the Secretary-General reiterated his call for an immediate de-escalation of violence measures to facilitate humanitarian access. Civilians in peril Mr. Dujarric said UN humanitarians were warning that 'the deadly hostilities continue to put civilians at risk, with ongoing reports of significant displacement and damage to critical infrastructure, including water, electricity and telecommunications networks,' Mr. Dujarric said. Access to Sweida and the impacted areas remains severely constrained due to insecurity and road closures, and civilians are unable to reach shelters. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, said that the UN and its humanitarian partners plan to assess the needs and provide essential assistance in Sweida as soon as conditions allow. Mr. Dujarric underscored that medical services in Sweida and the neighbouring Daraa Governorate are overstretched and hospitals are almost at capacity. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched emergency medical supplies to Daraa, deliveries to Sweida have yet to get through due to the fighting.
The National
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The National
UN chief calls for 'maximum restraint' after Israeli air strikes in Syria
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern on Wednesday over Israeli air strikes in Syria, calling for "maximum restraint" to prevent further escalation. Stephane Dujarric, a UN spokesman, said Mr Guterres was alarmed by continued Israeli breaches of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as breaches of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Syria said Israel launched more strikes near Damascus on Wednesday, after sectarian clashes left nearly 40 dead over two days. The battles erupted overnight in Sahnaya, near Damascus, which is home to Druze and Christian residents. The intensifying attacks on Syria's minority communities have raised questions about the government's ability to rein in radical factions in its coalition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel had conducted a "warning action" against an "extremist group preparing to attack the Druze population" in Sahnaya. "A stern message was conveyed to the Syrian regime. Israel expects them to act to prevent harm to the Druze community," Mr Netanyahu's office said. This marked Israel's first announced military strike in support of Syria's Druze community since former Syrian president Bashar Al Assad was toppled, underscoring its profound distrust of the Islamist provisional government that has succeeded him. The move also presented another obstacle for interim President Ahmad Al Shara, as he struggles to assert authority over the fractured nation. UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen also denounced the violence as "unacceptable" and voiced concern over the risk of 'further escalation of an extremely fragile situation".
Asharq Al-Awsat
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
US Says Shares Israel's Concerns about Syria
US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea said on Thursday that Washington shares Israel's concerns about the situation in Syria. During a briefing to the UN Security Council on Syria, she stressed that the US and Israel are worried about 'Syria becoming a base for terrorism, and both our countries have been clear that we oppose malign actors using Syria as a platform to foment instability.' 'As Council members, we should all agree that a stable and sovereign Syria is critical for our collective security. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier this week, and they had a constructive discussion on the importance of regional peace, security, and stability,' she noted. 'We know that ISIS and al-Qaeda continue to plot and conduct attacks within Syria. And we know Hezbollah and other Iran-backed terrorists are trying to regain a foothold in Syria to threaten Israel and other regional states.' 'In this context, Israel has an inherent right of self-defense, including against terrorist groups operating close to its border,' she stressed. 'We welcome the Syrian Permanent Representative's March 3 letter to the Council stating that Syria will not be a haven for terrorism, nor will it be a part of any axes or polarization or become involved in any conflicts or wars that threaten the security and stability of the region. This is a positive message of intent by the interim authorities,' she added. 'We will judge the Syrian interim authorities not by their words but by their actions. The United States continues to support efforts that will bring lasting stability between Israel and Syria, and we hope to see a restoration of calm so Syrians can live in peace with their neighbors,' Shea said. She also welcomed recent statements by both Israel and Türkiye that they do not seek conflict with one another in Syria. At the same briefing, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East and Asia Pacific Khaled Khiari condemned Israel's violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement with Syria, warning that they 'threaten Syria's fragile political transition'. He said: 'The council's commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity grows in importance by the day.' 'Syria's opportunity to stabilize after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for Syrians and for Israelis. This is the only way regional peace and security can be realized,' he urged. 'Since the fall of the former Assad government on December 8, 2024, this Security Council has been regularly briefed on Israeli violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria. The Secretary-General has been clear in his condemnation of all actions that are inconsistent with the Agreement,' he remarked. 'There have been hundreds of reported Israeli airstrikes across Syria since December 8 of last year, in the southwest, the Syrian coast, northeastern Syria, Damascus, Hama, and Homs. The Israeli army has publicly confirmed it has built multiple positions in the area of separation on the Golan,' he added. 'Israeli officials have also spoken about Israel's intentions to stay in Syria 'for the foreseeable future'. Such facts on the ground are not easily reversed. They do threaten Syria's fragile political transition, Khiari warned. 'Syria is at a crossroads and deserves a chance to continue to work towards an inclusive political transition, where the Syrian people can overcome the conflict, revive their economy, realize their legitimate aspirations, and contribute to regional stability,' he stressed. 'Furthermore, short-term and tactical security actions and gains should not derail prospects for peace agreement between the two neighbors and long-term stability at their internationally recognized border,' he said.
Arab News
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan says Syria needs ‘credible political transition,' condemns Israeli incursions and airstrikes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned Israel's 'continued and repeated' incursions and airstrikes in Syria, saying durable peace in the Middle Eastern state required a credible political transition and an inclusive government. Israel capitalized last December on the fall of the long regime of Bashar Assad to bolster its military foothold in Syria. It now controls a 400-square-km demilitarized buffer zone, supports the Druze minority and is opposed to the Syrian leadership. Syria's foreign ministry on Tuesday condemned Israeli strikes on the southwestern city of Daraa, which it said had killed and injured civilians. The strikes a day earlier killed at least three people and injured 19 others, the Syrian civil defense group, known as the White Helmets, said. The Israeli army confirmed the strikes, the latest in a string of attacks targeting Syria's military infrastructure since rebels toppled Assad. Israel said it targeted military headquarters and sites containing weapons and equipment. 'Israel's continued and repeated incursions and airstrikes into the Syrian territory, continued violation of 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and its declared intent for an indefinite presence and full demilitarization of Syria are unacceptable, constitute latent violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and undermine international law and regional stability,' the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement. 'A durable peace in Syria hinges on a credible political transition, national unity and reconciliation and inclusive governance.' The Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, which was signed on May 31, 1974, provided for the continuation of the ceasefire already in effect and for the separation of opposing parties by a UN Peacekeeping Force. After the fall of Assad, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January. Israel says it will not tolerate what it describes as an Islamist militant presence in southern Syria and has sent its troops into Syria's border zone. Syria's leadership has said it does not intend to open a front against Israel.
