Daijiworld Media Network - Damascus

Damascus, Nov 12: In a significant revelation, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has confirmed that his government is currently engaged in direct negotiations with Israel, aiming to establish a long-term peace and security framework between the two nations.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Washington Post on Tuesday, Sharaa said, “We are engaged in direct negotiations with Israel, and we have gone a good distance on the way to reach an agreement. But to reach a final agreement, Israel should withdraw to their pre-December 8 borders.”

The Syrian leader’s reference to December 8 marks the date of the fall of the Assad regime, followed by a series of Israeli strikes on Syrian military installations. Following the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad, Israel launched extensive attacks targeting chemical weapons depots, long-range missiles, and air force bases, citing threats to its national security.

Sharaa’s comments come amid reports that the United States is mediating a potential security agreement between Syria and Israel. A Syrian official earlier told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that several security and military accords could be finalized before the year’s end.

“These agreements will not be linked to Syria joining the Abraham Accords,” Sharaa clarified, adding that Syria cannot consider normalization while Israel continues its occupation of the Golan Heights.

“The United States is with us in these negotiations, and many international parties support our perspective. Today, we found that [U.S. President Donald] Trump supports our perspective as well, and he will push as quickly as possible to reach a solution,” Sharaa said.

The Syrian president defended his government’s decision not to retaliate against recent Israeli airstrikes, stating that his administration’s focus remains on rebuilding the war-torn nation. However, he accused Israel of harboring “expansionist ambitions”, saying that the current defensive arrangements “don’t serve security concerns.”

“Israel claims it fears Iran-backed militias and Hezbollah,” Sharaa said. “But we are the ones who expelled those forces from Syria.”

When asked about possible demilitarization of southern Syria, Sharaa asserted that Syrian forces must maintain control to prevent rebel attacks across the border.

“Who would stop rebel groups from attacking Israel from there if there are no Syrian forces?” he questioned.

He further warned that Israel’s actions could set a dangerous precedent:

“Israel occupied the Golan Heights to protect itself. Now it imposes conditions in southern Syria to protect the Golan Heights. So after a few years, maybe they will occupy central Syria to protect the south. They will reach Munich on that pathway.”

Addressing concerns over the treatment of minorities since his government took power, Sharaa denied any systematic persecution.

“There are individual interests of certain groups that want autonomy or independence. They use their denomination or faith as justification,” he said.

“In Syria, we have coexisted with diverse religious communities for over 1,400 years. We are rebuilding our nation and our laws, and while challenges remain, it’s not the end of the story.”

Drawing a parallel to post-Civil War America, Sharaa added, “After the U.S. Civil War, did stability come within a year? No, it took many years. We are now in that rebuilding phase.”

The confirmation of direct Syria-Israel negotiations marks a historic shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy, raising hopes for a potential thaw in relations between two nations long locked in hostility.