In an interview with Al Jazeera television, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara expressed that they want to reach a security agreement with Israel. Shara stated that such a step could lay the groundwork for comprehensive peace between the two countries without compromising Syria's rights over the Golan Heights.
The Syrian leader said they are trying to involve a broad group of countries to pressure Israel into adopting a more balanced policy. "We are avoiding entering into conflicts," Shara said, expressing his pursuit of a security agreement as part of this approach.
Israel's Occupation and Attacks in Syria
Immediately after the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 by opposition forces led by Shara, Israel entered Syrian territory and occupied strategic areas. Israeli troops advanced into the demilitarized zone, including the Syrian side of Mount Hermon overlooking the capital Damascus.
Since then, the Israeli army has carried out airstrikes in Syria and detained people from inside the country. Israel has also conducted operations under the guise of a protection mission for the Druze minority in southwestern Syria.
According to the Syrian official news agency SANA, on Sunday Israeli forces shelled areas in Syria and destroyed an electricity transformer in the village of Maariyah, leaving homes without power.
UN Secretary-General Condemns Israel
Shara's statements coincided with the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Syria. This was the first visit by a United Nations secretary-general to the country since 2009.
On Sunday, Guterres called on X for respect of Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, saying: "Israel's violation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement is unacceptable and must stop."
Possibility of Military Intervention in Lebanon Rejected
Seeking to polish Syria's image, Shara last year became the first Syrian president since 1967 to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. His government is trying to rebuild international ties and the domestic economy after nearly 14 years of war and decades of isolation and deaths under Assad family rule.
Shara also said his government is "not considering military intervention" in Lebanon. Shara had been on opposing sides with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shiite Lebanese militant group, during the Syrian civil war.
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump, after criticizing Israel for killing too many civilians in Lebanon, announced that he had discussed the fight against Hezbollah with Shara.
