In a groundbreaking development, Syria’s newly formed government and Israel have announced plans to establish a joint group aimed at sharing intelligence and seeking military de-escalation, following a series of talks in Paris. This collaboration is set to unfold under the supervision of the United States, marking a significant shift in the dynamic between two long-standing adversaries.
The Syrian Foreign Minister’s visit to Paris, the first known high-level meeting between the two countries in months, underscores a notable willingness to engage directly, despite ongoing tensions. A joint statement from the U.S. State Department after the discussions indicated that both countries are committed to creating lasting security and stability arrangements.
The newly proposed joint fusion mechanism will serve as a dedicated communication cell designed to facilitate both immediate and ongoing coordination in several critical areas, including intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and exploring commercial opportunities. This approach aims to create a platform for addressing disputes and preventing misunderstandings that could escalate into conflict.
However, the statement did not clarify whether Israel would hold back on future military operations or restore prior agreements that governed interactions between the two nations. Historically, Israel has conducted numerous military strikes against Syrian targets, particularly focusing on Iranian military positions, a strategy driven by national security concerns.
Since the rise of Bashar al-Assad’s regime over half a century ago, Syria has openly supported the Palestinian cause and aligned closely with Iran, Israel’s principal foe. The recent geopolitical shifts have followed a tumultuous transition in Syria’s leadership, with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa emerging after Assad’s ousting.
Al-Sharaa has garnered support from allies such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey. His relationship with former President Donald Trump has been noted, with Trump commending Sharaa’s efforts to stabilize Syria and integrating it more fully into the global economy—a move highlighted by the recent lifting of U.S. sanctions.
The situation in the Golan Heights remains critical, where Israel had previously occupied territory captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. Following Assad’s fall, Israeli troops were deployed into a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had long separated the Israeli and Syrian militaries. Concurrently, Israel declared void a longstanding 1974 disengagement agreement, a decision that has raised concerns regarding future hostilities.
In response to the emerging power vacuum in Syria, Sharaa has been actively pursuing diplomatic efforts to restore the previous ceasefire agreement while defending against Israel’s demands for a demilitarized zone in southern Syria. Amid these discussions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has emphasized the importance of economic cooperation with Syria to promote “regional stability and security.”
The dialogue also emphasizes the security of the Druze minority in Syria, a community that has connections within Israel, which remains a concern for Israeli policymakers. Recent violence against the Druze population has sparked fears of broader regional instability.
Israel’s military strategy has recently included significant airstrikes, such as the attack on Syria’s defense ministry in July, aimed at undermining the capabilities of a now-weakened Syrian military. Analysts suggest that these strikes reflect a calculated effort by Israel to assert influence and control in a volatile region. The outcomes of this newly proposed collaboration between Syria and Israel, alongside U.S. involvement, may hold key implications for the future of peace and stability in the region.
