Al-Shaybani: Communications with Israel were severed after the attack on Abu al-Dhaher base... Priority is halting the attacks

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani said that communications with Israel were severed following the attack on the Abu al-Duhur airbase on August 18, emphasizing that the priority is to halt Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and take steps that contribute to building trust.

In an interview with Reuters, al-Shaybani clarified 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 Israel and adding that “Israel has tried to maintain its security through brute force and has failed everywhere.”

He added that Damascus does not object to taking Israeli security concerns into account, but demands in return that Syrian sovereignty and security concerns be respected, calling on Israel to seize what he described as a “historical opportunity” to return to the negotiating table.

Al-Shaybani explained that the two sides had previously reached understandings on most provisions of the security agreement, including mutual non-aggression and non-interference in internal affairs, as well as security arrangements near the border and Israel’s withdrawal from Syrian territory.

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 Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.