Al-Shaibani: Syria extends its hand to diplomacy, and Israel must seize the historic opportunity

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani said that communications with the occupation were severed following the attack on Abu al-Dhaher Airbase on August 18, emphasizing that the priority is to halt Tel Aviv’s attacks on Syrian territory and to take steps that contribute to building trust. In an interview with Reuters, al-Shaybani stated that Damascus expects to resume talks on a security agreement between the two sides in the near future, noting that Syria currently does not trust Tel Aviv, and adding that “Israel has tried to maintain its security through brute force and has failed everywhere.” He indicated that Damascus does not object to taking into account the occupation’s security concerns, but demands in return respect for Syrian sovereignty and Syria’s security concerns, urging Tel Aviv to seize what it described as a “historic opportunity” to return to the negotiating table. Al-Shaybani clarified that the two sides had previously reached understandings on most provisions of the security agreement, including non-aggression and non-interference in internal affairs, as well as security arrangements near the border and the occupation’s withdrawal from Syrian territories it seized after the fall of the Assad regime. He also noted that the United States continues its efforts to push both sides toward resuming negotiations and reaching a security agreement that ensures stability and halts attacks on Syrian territory. Early last Tuesday, the occupation’s air force carried out several strikes on the runway of Abu al-Dhaher military airport in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, causing damage to its infrastructure. Since the overthrow of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, occupation forces have launched hundreds of aerial strikes on Syria, including attacks focused on military targets, alongside ground incursions.