Latest news with #alSharaa
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel risks overplaying its hand in Syria amid Druze-Bedouin conflicts
The longer al-Sharaa acts on big issues and Israel intervenes in questionable matters not clearly threatening Israeli interests, the faster Israel may lose the key cards it holds in Syria. These are wild times between Israel and Syria. And in these wild times it is unclear whether Israel's attacks on Syrian regime forces on Monday and Tuesday - even if it is to protect some Syrian-Druze who the Jewish state has good relations with and even if the Syrian forces are in part of Israel's self-declared buffer zone – will stand unchallenged or lead to major strategic fallout. Only a few months ago, every top Israeli political official in public statements and pretty much all top Israeli defense officials in private statements, including some exclusive statements to the Jerusalem Post, were warning that Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is a "wolf in sheep's clothing." Their point was to caution that though he now wears suits and ties and speaks in measured tones about peace that the West loves to hear, that underneath it all, he remains the same dangerous al-Qaeda jihadist which he once openly was in the not-so-distant past. But then US President Donald Trump decided that al-Sharaa was a legitimate partner, repealed all American sanctions, and told Jerusalem to get with the program and make nice with him. Trump did this based on his own judgment of character, but also under pressure from the Saudis who want to strengthen al-Sharaa's rule so as to prevent any Alawite-Syrian or Iranian resurgence. There are also concerns about al-Sharaa's connections with Islamist Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and concerns about the massacre of as many as 1,500 ethnic minority Alawites (some of his security forces were also killed and are part of the tally), which he allowed to occur in Syria in the Latakia area in March. But Trump knew about these issues and gave al-Sharaa a clean slate anyway. Israel did eventually get on board, and Mossad Director David Barnea, the IDF, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and National Security Council Chief Tzahi Hanegbi have communicated with Syria, with both sides talking about a possible new armistice deal and maybe eventual normalization. Several top American officials have met with al-Sharaa and declared their support for him as a reformed man who will bring about peace with Israel. All of this could mean Israel needing to withdraw, even if it might be gradual over an extended period, from its buffer security zone it created in southern Syria in December 2024 upon the fall of the Assad regime. One of the big questions is how long Israel can convince Trump to allow it to stay in the Syrian buffer zone. The question is relevant both as a matter of addressing security concerns with whether al-Sharaa can restrain some of his jihadists from invading Israel as well as using the bargaining chip of withdrawing from those areas to get normalization with Syria or at least promises of a large demilitarized zone. If in December 2024 and the early months of this year, the IDF could take almost any action it wanted to in Syria against perceived security threats because al-Sharaa was still in the sanctions dog-house, all of that has either already changed or could change soon. Imminently or in the medium term, Trump may bar Israel from such actions, or worse, such continued actions could eventually lead Trump to demand Israel leave its Syrian buffer zone sooner, undermining its strategic leverage. Part of how all of this will turn out depends on how one views the latest incident. From the outside, it seems like a minor incident of some Bedouin-Syrians kidnapping one Druze-Syrian led to rival tribes falling into a much larger multi-village conflict. However, all of this was still a local Syrian affair, which would not seem to implicate Israeli security or justify Jerusalem ordering an intervention. Unclear if IDF supports current intervention in Syria In fact, it is unclear whether the IDF supports the current intervention or may view it as an error strategically, but is following orders from the cabinet. What brought Israeli interest was when the government forces announced they would intervene in order to end the tribal gang fighting which has already led to between 30-100 deaths. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they were worried that the government forces, with more serious weaponry like tanks, would overpower and start slaughtering the Druze-Syrians. They also said that Syrian forces could not enter the buffer zone. But if al-Sharaa is becoming accepted, how often can Israel prevent the current Syrian regime from intervening to resolve internal chaotic conflicts between tribes? Eighth months into his rule, there has been no hint that al-Sharaa would threaten Israel, let alone any concrete move to do so. Of course, all of this could be just because he has been too weak to do so to date, and given a few years to build his power, he could be a true threat down the line. But al-Sharaa and Trump may tire sooner of giving Israel a free hand in Syria on issues that really matter if it continues to intervene on so many gray issues, which could easily be reframed as an "occupying" power denying a legitimate government from restoring order in its territory. If al-Sharaa or his government forces really do start to oppress the Druze-Syrians or try to creep closer to the border with Israel, then Jerusalem might get a more sympathetic hearing in Washington. But the longer al-Sharaa behaves on the big issues and the more Israel intervenes on issues which could be framed as questionable and not clearly threatening Israeli interests, the quicker the Jewish state may lose the cards it holds in Syria, which really matter. Solve the daily Crossword
France 24
6 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Israeli strike hits Gaza church, killing 3 and wounding priest who was close to Pope Francis
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Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Mayadeen
Preliminary US-backed talks underway between 'Israel', Syria: Axios
The Trump administration has begun early discussions with "Israel" and Syria about a potential security agreement, US and Israeli officials told Axios, marking the first steps toward reducing tensions between the longtime adversaries. While formal normalization is not yet on the table, the talks aim to update border security arrangements and possibly pave the way for future diplomacy. Following the fall of the Assad government last year, Donald Trump announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria to support its reconstruction and reintegration. According to Axios, while the US envisions a gradual approach, "Israel" is looking for firm commitments that talks will lead to full normalization. Read more: Trump could bring Netanyahu, Syria's al-Sharaa to normalization talks In early June, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed to President Trump's Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, his interest in pursuing a US-brokered security agreement with Syria's post-Assad government. According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu envisions a phased approach, beginning with an updated version of the 1974 disengagement of forces agreement and eventually leading to a full peace treaty and diplomatic normalization. After Ahmad al-Sharaa took power in December, "Israel" launched a series of airstrikes that decimated Syria's remaining military assets, including its air force, navy, missile systems, and air defenses. "Israel" also seized control of the buffer zone and advanced into Syrian territory, occupying key areas such as the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, a strategic high point. Israeli officials now see their hold on these territories as critical bargaining chips and have made clear that any withdrawal will depend on Syria agreeing to a comprehensive "peace deal" and full normalization of relations. "Israel" is currently engaging with Syria through at least four separate channels: "National Security" Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, Mossad Director David Barnea, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar for political and strategic dialogue, and the Israeli occupation forces, which handle daily military coordination. Despite these ongoing lines of communication, Israeli officials are urging the US to take a more prominent mediating role, believing American involvement would encourage Syria's new leadership to engage more seriously. US and Israeli officials confirmed that Trump's Syria envoy, Tom Barrack, has maintained contact with Syrian counterparts since his visit to "Israel" in early June, aimed at exploring the launch of formal negotiations. "We are having very soft preliminary discussions. Diplomatic breakthroughs are like unwrapping an onion — we are peeling," a senior US official told Axios, adding that President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are fully supportive and that coordination between the US and "Israel" is strong. For now, the talks involve only mid-level officials and do not include Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, nor are there plans yet for a leaders' summit, according to a US official. Two senior Israeli officials acknowledged that while a deal is within reach, progress will be gradual. "We hope to see the Trump administration pushing more assertively on this track," one official said. One of the key unresolved issues in any potential Israeli-Syrian "peace deal" is the status of the Syrian Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that "Israel" occupied during the 1967 war. In past negotiations spanning three decades, the al-Assad regime consistently demanded full or near-full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan in exchange for "peace". During his first term, President Trump formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory, a controversial move that the Biden administration chose not to reverse. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reaffirmed that while "Israel" is open to reaching an agreement with Syria, the Golan Heights will remain under Israeli control as part of any future deal. Ron Dermer, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and "Israel's" minister for strategic affairs, is in Washington this week for meetings with senior White House officials, where the potential Syria agreement is expected to be on the agenda. Israeli officials say Netanyahu is also preparing for an upcoming visit to the White House, where Syria and broader regional developments will feature prominently in talks with President Trump.
Asharq Al-Awsat
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
US Revokes Foreign Terrorist Designation for Syria's HTS
President Donald Trump's administration on Monday revoked the foreign terrorist organization designation for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as Washington moves to remove US sanctions on Syria to help the country rebuild following years of a civil war. In December, opposition factions led by HTS ousted Syria's former president Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive. Then-HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa became Syria's president and said he wanted to build an inclusive and democratic Syria. HTS was previously known as al-Nusra Front when it was al-Qaeda's Syria branch. It broke off ties with al-Qaeda in 2016. In May, Sharaa met with Trump in Riyadh where, in a major policy shift, the Republican president unexpectedly announced he would lift US sanctions on Syria, prompting Washington to significantly ease its measures. "This FTO revocation is an important step in fulfilling President Trump's vision of a stable, unified, and peaceful Syria," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, adding that the revocation will come into effect on Tuesday. Last week, Trump signed an executive order terminating US sanctions program on Syria, a move that aims to end the country's isolation from the international financial system. Syria's foreign ministry told Reuters that the lifting of sanctions on HTS was a "positive step toward correcting a course that previously hindered constructive engagement." The written statement said Syria hoped the move would "contribute to the removal of remaining restrictions that continue to impact Syrian institutions and officials, and open the door to a rational, sovereign-based approach to international cooperation." The ministry also said that Sharaa was planning to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. The UN Security Council still has sanctions on both HTS and Sharaa himself, which require a Council decision to remove.
National Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Syria says willing to return to 1974 border deal with Israel
Article content The next day, the IDF announced that troops had apprehended members of an Iranian-backed terrorist cell during an overnight operation in southern Syria. On Sunday, the military said that soldiers operating in the same region had arrested several suspected terrorists during raids on weapons caches. Article content According to the IDF, soldiers from the 210th 'Bashan' Division are actively deployed in southern Syria, with the mission of neutralizing any threat to Israeli citizens. The division's area of operations extends from the summit of Mount Hermon—referred to as its 'crown'—down to the tripoint border where Syria, Jordan and Israel meet. Article content During a visit to the Syrian Hermon in January, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared: 'The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, as well as all the residents of Israel.' Article content Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not permit forces loyal to Syrian leader al-Sharaa to deploy in the area south of Damascus. Article content On June 3, Syrian terrorists fired two rockets at the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. Both projectiles hit open areas, causing no injuries or damage. Article content In response, Katz stated that Jerusalem views al-Sharaa as 'directly responsible for any threat and firing toward the State of Israel,' and warned that a 'full response will come soon.' Article content However, Barrack cautioned that this could take time because new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—a former Al-Qaeda terrorist—could face resistance at home. Article content 'He cannot be seen by his own people as being forced or coerced into the Abraham Accords,' said Barrack, referring to the agreements that normalized Israel's relations with four Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Article content 'So, he has to work slowly,' Barrack said of al-Sharaa. Article content During a visit to the Syrian Hermon in January, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared: 'The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, as well as all the residents of Israel.' Article content Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not permit forces loyal to Syrian leader al-Sharaa to deploy in the area south of Damascus. Article content On June 3, Syrian terrorists fired two rockets at the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. Both projectiles hit open areas, causing no injuries or damage. Article content In response, Katz stated that Jerusalem views al-Sharaa as 'directly responsible for any threat and firing toward the State of Israel,' and warned that a 'full response will come soon.' Article content
