Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met an Israeli delegation in Paris on Tuesday, aiming to bolster regional stability and address southern Syria’s volatile situation, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported. US officials previously mediated direct talks between Syrian and Israeli representatives, focusing on de-escalating the ongoing conflict in southern Syria.
However, SANA confirmed both sides specifically addressed de-escalation efforts and, furthermore, discussed non-interference in Syria’s internal affairs. The meeting also involved reactivating the crucial 1974 disengagement agreement, which established a vital UN buffer zone within the Golan Heights.
Furthermore, this meeting marks the second direct engagement between delegations in Paris this month as both parties previously convened in July, agreeing to continue negotiations. However, they failed to reach a conclusive agreement on reducing southern Syrian tensions.
Recent Southern Syrian Clashes Highlight Challenges
Southern Syria’s Sweida province recently witnessed brutal clashes, resulting in hundreds of fatalities after Druze fighters, along with Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, actively participated in these violent confrontations. Consequently, Israel launched airstrikes, stating its intervention prevented mass Druze killings by government forces.
These recent skirmishes highlighted significant challenges for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa; he struggles to stabilize Syria and maintain central control despite improving US relations and his administration’s developing security ties with Israel.
