Syria officially accepts talks with Israel after 25 years, signal of change in the Middle East

2025-08-21 14:02:28Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Syria officially accepts talks with Israel after 25 years, signal of change in

For the first time in more than two decades, Syria has publicly confirmed contacts with Israel, marking a significant diplomatic moment in the region. The meeting held on August 19 in Paris between Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad el-Chaibani and Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer was mediated by the United States and aims to reduce tensions in southern Syria.

This is the first contact officially acknowledged by the Syrian side, although informal discussions have been held earlier in cities such as Baku, Abu Dhabi and Paris itself. The main focus of the talks was on preserving Syria's sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, in the context of recent unrest in the southern province of Soueida, where clashes between the Druze community and the authorities have left about 1,000 dead.

The meeting was also attended by the Israeli Druze sheikh, Muwaffaq Tarif, who had earlier called for Israeli intervention to stop the escalation of violence.

The move is seen as an attempt by Damascus to regain stability in the south of the country and reduce the perception of Israel as an ideological enemy. Meanwhile, observers warn that despite this new approach, the issue of the occupied Golan remains a major obstacle to any attempt at full normalization.

This development signals a cautious shift in the Syrian approach to the regional reality, at a time when reconstruction and recovery have become urgent priorities for the population.


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