Syrian FM Holds Rare Talks with Israeli Delegation in Paris

In a rare diplomatic engagement, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met with an Israeli delegation in Paris for talks on regional stability, Syrian state media reported. The discussions—held under U.S. mediation—centered on reducing violence in southern Syria and revisiting the decades-old disengagement framework in the Golan Heights. The dialogue comes as deadly unrest in Sweida threatens to undermine interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s grip on power.

The Paris talks mark the second round of meetings in less than a month, underscoring international concern over escalating violence in southern Syria. Both sides discussed de-escalation steps and reaffirmed commitments to avoid interference in domestic Syrian affairs.

A key agenda item was the revival of the 1974 disengagement agreement, which created a U.N.-monitored buffer zone after the Yom Kippur War. Analysts say reactivating the accord could reduce direct clashes and restore a fragile stability to the Golan frontier.

Recent fighting in Sweida province has killed hundreds, involving battles between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces. Israel confirmed carrying out airstrikes to prevent what it described as mass killings of Druze civilians by government forces, a move highlighting Israel’s stake in southern Syria’s security.

The clashes in southern Syria underscore the fragile authority of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is struggling to consolidate rule even as Damascus moves closer to the U.S. and cautiously explores security contacts with Israel.