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The Day · Sunday 7 December 2025

Filed 23:31 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · World

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Damascus Ties Security Agreement to Full Israeli Withdrawal from Syrian Soil

Damascus has declared it will not sign any security agreement unless there is a complete Israeli withdrawal from Syrian soil. The position underscores Damascus’ demand for full sovereignty and highlights the centrality of territorial issues in any political or security negotiations.

DAMASCUS, SYRIA – SEPTEMBER 16: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C), Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (not seen), US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack (not seen) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at the Tishreen Palace in Damascus, Syria on September 16, 2025. They held a trilateral meeting to discuss the situation in the southern Suwayda province. ( Izz Aldien Alqasem – Anadolu Agency )

Damascus has officially stated that it conditions the signing of any security agreement on a full Israeli withdrawal from Syrian soil. The announcement came amid continued tensions surrounding sovereign rights and external military presence in the region.

From its side, Damascus emphasized that any agreement falling short of complete Israeli disengagement from Syrian territory would not meet the threshold for negotiation. This position reinforces a consistent stance adopted by Damascus concerning occupied Syrian lands, reaffirming what it views as a non-negotiable principle of territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, officials in Damascus framed the demand as a legitimate and foundational prerequisite for progress in any form of bilateral or multilateral security arrangements. They indicated that the presence of Israeli forces on Syrian soil remains the primary obstacle to stability and trust-building. The insistence on full withdrawal reflects what Damascus describes as a necessary step toward restoring national sovereignty and establishing an environment suitable for dialogue.

In addition, Damascus reiterated that sovereignty over all its territories is essential to any potential future steps toward cooperative frameworks. The statement did not reference any international mediators, timelines, or specific mechanisms, but it was clear in its assertion that no security arrangement will be possible so long as Israeli forces remain on Syrian land.

Observers noted that the language used by Damascus signals a hardened stance rooted in resistance to occupation. The demand aligns with a broader rejection of foreign military occupations in the region and underscores the linkage between political agreements and on-the-ground realities. In the view of Damascus, a meaningful security agreement is only viable when backed by concrete actions, foremost among them being the full withdrawal of forces it deems to be occupying sovereign territory.

From its side, Damascus conveyed that the security and dignity of its people are inseparable from the liberation of its soil. The government stated that without addressing the core issue of territorial occupation, any agreement remains superficial and unsustainable. This position is being maintained as part of what it sees as a legitimate response to ongoing occupation and a refusal to normalize conditions viewed as unjust and imposed.

The statement serves as a resolute reminder that, for Damascus, resistance to occupation is not only a matter of principle but also a strategic pillar of its national policy. The leadership reiterated its readiness to engage in negotiations, but only under conditions that honor Syria’s full sovereignty and rights. As long as Israeli forces remain on Syrian territory, Damascus maintains it will not be party to any security pact.

The linkage of any security agreement to a complete Israeli withdrawal underscores the enduring nature of the occupation issue and reflects broader dynamics throughout the region, where sovereignty and resistance remain central themes in interactions between state and occupying forces. Damascus’s position appears firm, signaling a minimal threshold for any future steps and a clear alignment with its foundational policies concerning occupied lands.

7 Dec, 23:31

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