Syria's top diplomat and an Israeli delegation meet in Paris as US
pushes for normalizing ties
[August 20, 2025]
By ABBY SEWELL
BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s foreign minister held a rare direct meeting with
an Israeli delegation in Paris on Tuesday, talks that were brokered by
the United States as part of a diplomatic push for Syria and Israel to
normalize relations despite a recent surge in tensions between them.
Syria's state-run SANA news agency said Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani
met with Israeli officials to discuss de-escalating tensions and
restoring a 1974 ceasefire agreement — a deal that established a
demilitarized separation zone between Israeli and Syrian forces and
stationed a U.N. peacekeeping force to maintain calm.
The statement gave no details on the outcome of the Paris meeting. But a
senior Trump administration official, who was not authorized to comment
publicly on the matter, confirmed the talks.
“The United States continues to support any efforts that will bring
lasting stability and peace between Israel and its neighbors," the
official told The Associated Press, adding that the backing follows
President Donald Trump's outlined "vision of a prosperous Middle East”
that includes a “stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors —
including Israel.”
"We want to do everything we can to help achieve that,” the official
added.
The long road to normalization
In the past, Syrian officials have acknowledged holding indirect talks
with Israel to defuse tensions, but this was the first time they
acknowledged taking part in direct negotiations. There was no immediate
confirmation of the meeting from Israel.
Tensions have soared between the two neighbors following the overthrow
of Syrian President Bashar Assad in December in a lightning rebel
offensive led by Islamist insurgents.
Shortly after Assad’s overthrow, Israeli forces seized control of the
U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in Syria set up under the 1974 agreement and
carried out airstrikes on military sites in what officials said was
aimed at creating a demilitarized zone south of Damascus.
Israel has said it will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves
along the frontier, as Iranian-backed groups did during Assad's rule. It
distrusts Syria's new government, which is led by former Islamist
insurgents.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaida commander who
severed ties with the militant group years ago, has pledged to build a
new country that respects the rights of minorities, but sectarian
violence has erupted on a number of occasions, raising concerns about
Syria's fragile transition.
Sectarian clashes and Druze grievances
Israel stepped up its intervention when violence erupted in Syria’s
Sweida province last month between Bedouin clans and government forces
on one side and armed groups from the Druze religious minority on the
other.
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During the fighting, some government forces allegedly killed Druze
civilians, including a medical worker in a hospital in Sweida — an
incident that was caught on video — and a U.S. citizen. Other videos
circulating online have shown fighters forcibly shaving the
mustaches off Druze sheikhs, or religious leaders, and stepping on
Druze flags and photographs of religious clerics. The Syrian
government has said it is investigating the allegations.
The conflict then prompted airstrikes against Syrian forces by
Israel before a truce — mediated by the U.S., Turkey and Arab
countries — halted most of the fighting.
Israel said it was acting to protect the Druze, who are seen as a
loyal minority in Israel and often serve in the military. Israel
launched dozens of airstrikes on convoys of Syrian forces around
Sweida and struck the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defense
in the heart of Damascus, Syria's capital.
Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war
and later annexed the strategic plateau in a move that has only been
recognized by the United States. The rest of the international
community views the Golan as occupied Syrian territory.
A US envoy holds talks
Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack posted on X that
he had held a “warm and informative meeting” with Moafaq Tarif, the
spiritual leader of Druze in Israel, and that the two discussed "how
to bring together the interests of all parties, de-escalate
tensions, and build understanding.”
Tarif described the meeting as “excellent” and said the Druze want
American assistance with an end to the blockade of Sweida and
humanitarian aid for the people there, the return of the Druze who
were kidnapped during the fighting, as well as American assurances
of Druze security.
Though the fighting has largely calmed down, Syrian government
forces have surrounded the southern city of Sweida, named after the
province, and the Druze have said that little aid is getting in,
describing the situation as a siege.
While the Druze in Syria have historically been wary of Israel, an
increasing number are now open to seeking Israeli assistance.
Hundreds demonstrated in Sweida on Saturday to demand the right to
self determination for the Druze minority, with some protesters
waving Israeli flags.
Videos and photos of the spectacle circulating on social media
sparked outrage from many other Syrians, who accused the protesters
of being traitors.
___
Associated Press writers Joseph Krauss in Ottawa, Ontario; Aamer
Madhani in Washington and Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Israel,
contributed to this report.
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