Israel–Syria Talks Collapse Over Sovereignty Dispute
Recent negotiations between Israeli and Syrian officials have broken down after weeks of progress. The main sticking point was Tel Aviv’s request to establish a land corridor to deliver aid to residents of Syria’s southern Sweida province—a proposal Damascus rejected as a violation of its sovereignty. The disagreement derailed prospects for a security agreement expected this week.
This isn’t the first time Israel has made such a request. During earlier talks in Paris, Tel Aviv also pushed for the corridor, which Syria firmly opposed. According to Israel Hayom, deep divisions remain over issues like Israeli control of Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights, as well as security guarantees for the Druze minority allied with Israel.
Previous rounds in Baku, Paris, and London had shown progress, with the U.S. even signaling that a de-escalation deal was within reach. However, the Sweida corridor dispute highlights the persistent strategic challenges facing any agreement.
Suweida, home to a majority Druze population, holds significant security and social importance for Damascus. Accepting Israel’s proposal could undermine Syria’s political legitimacy. Even if the Sweida issue is set aside, core disagreements over the Golan and Mount Hermon remain major obstacles—issues too complex for short-term diplomacy to resolve.
Comment