The Return of the Buffer Zone: Syria and Israel Negotiate a New Security Deal
Syria’s Foreign Minister has signaled a desire for a new security arrangement with Israel, aiming to restore stability as the country rebuilds after the fall of the Assad regime.
In a surprising diplomatic shift, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has publicly called for a future security agreement with Israel. In a recent interview, al-Shaibani expressed a desire for a "calm and comprehensive agreement" that respects Syrian sovereignty while bringing an end to the military provocations that have plagued the border. This statement comes as senior officials from both nations met in Brussels to discuss the future of their shared frontier.
The relationship between the two countries changed dramatically following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. After the insurgent offensive led by the current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Israel moved away from the long standing 1974 disengagement agreement. Arguing that the move was necessary for self defense, Israeli forces took control of strategic areas in southern Syria and carried out strikes against infrastructure to prevent the entrenchment of hostile groups.
Minister al-Shaibani made a clear distinction between full "normalization" and a practical "peace arrangement." He stated that Syria does not want normalization to occur under the shadow of military force or constant threats to its stability. Damascus is now demanding that Israel return to the terms of the 1974 agreement and withdraw from the territories captured after the collapse of the previous regime in December 2024.
The Syrian government is also deeply concerned about the broader regional war involving Iran. Al-Shaibani warned that the massive scale of the war could cripple Syria’s efforts to rebuild its shattered economy. "Now we are in the process of rebuilding Syria’s economy and rebuilding economic partnerships across the region," he noted, emphasizing that any conflict of this magnitude has a major negative impact on their recovery efforts.
To support these reconstruction goals, Syria has appealed to the international community, including the European Union, for help. Sanctions previously imposed by the EU and the Trump administration have been lifted in an attempt to stabilize the Syrian economy and prevent further humanitarian crises. The desire for a security deal with Israel is seen by many as a pragmatic step to ensure that Syria does not become a secondary battlefield in the war between Israel and Iran.
While Israel has yet to officially respond to the call for a return to the 1974 buffer zone, the talks in Brussels represent a significant thaw in relations. Both sides appear to recognize that a stable border is essential for their respective national interests. However, the path to a formal agreement remains complicated by the ongoing activities of various armed factions within Syria and the overarching shadow of the war with Iran.