Interim Syrian leader warns Middle East faces instability without Israel security pact

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa warned on September 23 that the Middle East risks a new round of instability unless Israel reaches a security agreement with his transitional government that safeguards Syrian sovereignty.

Sharaa, whose forces ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Speaking at an event hosted by the Middle East Institute, he reiterated his call for a security pact with Israel, noting the dangers of continued Israeli incursions and airspace violations.

“We are not the ones creating problems for Israel. We are scared of Israel, not the other way around,” Sharaa said. He added: “There are multiple risks with Israel stalling on the negotiations and insisting on violating our airspace and incursions into our territory.”

The interim president rejected any notion of partitioning Syria, stressing the regional repercussions. “Jordan is under pressure, and any talk of partitioning Syria will hurt Iraq, will hurt Türkiye,” he said. “That will take us all back to square one,” noting that Syria had only recently emerged from more than 15 years of war.

Sharaa also tempered expectations regarding a historic agreement in which Syria would formally recognise Israel, emphasising that current negotiations are focused on security and stability rather than full diplomatic normalisation.

Meanwhile, US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack indicated that Syria and Israel are close to finalising a “de-escalation” agreement. According to Barrack, the deal would see Israel halt attacks while Syria agrees not to move machinery or heavy equipment near the Israeli border. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of UN General Assembly meetings, he described the accord as a first step toward a broader security agreement between the two countries.

The negotiations aim to secure a cessation of Israeli airstrikes and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Syria, addressing key security concerns for Damascus.

By Tamilla Hasanova