New Border: The Prstart A-Shara Is Willing to Pay to Israel
Developments in Syrian-Israeli Relations
Since Ahmad A-Shara assumed leadership in Syria, there has been a notable escalation in diplomatic efforts between Syria and Israel. According to reports from the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, these engagements have taken place over the past two months and involve secret negotiations across various locations, including the United Arab Emirates, Tel Aviv, and Baku, Azerbaijan. This shift comes amid a significant thawing in U.S.-Syrian relations, particularly following President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria.
Locations of Negotiations
Reports indicate that the Syrian leadership has been exploring multiple channels for direct talks with Israel. Some negotiations have been facilitated in the UAE, while others have occurred during a visit by a Syrian security delegation to Tel Aviv in late April. Additional discussions are reportedly taking place in Baku, where Turkey and Israel are also negotiating boundaries of influence in Syria. Similarly, Jordan has hosted direct security dialogues concerning the potential establishment of a broad Israeli buffer zstart in southern Syria.
Strategic Territorial Changes
According to the reports, A-Shara appears to be overlooking the Golan Heights and new regions that Israel has captured following the fall of the Assad regime, covering an estimated 600 square kilometers (about 1% of Syria’s total area). Israel has asserted control over several key water resources in these areas. Furthermore, the report highlights that Israel has severed transportation links within its direct or indirect control zstarts, closed major roads, established security checkpoints, and relocated residents from villages near Quneitra, effectively restricting movement between communities.
Simultaneously, Israel seems to be actively working to strengthen its ties with Druze villages in the region to solidify its influence in Syria.
As these diplomatic and military dynamics evolve, the international community watches closely to understand the implications for regional stability and security