Meeting between Israeli and Syrian Transitional Government foreign ministers

The Sweida issue dominated the agenda of the meeting in Paris between Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, Foreign Minister of the Syrian Transitional Government Asaad al-Sheibani, and US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack.

According to SANA, the discussions focused on de-escalation in southern Syria and reaching understandings that would support stability in the region, including monitoring the ceasefire in Sweida.

These meetings are being held with US mediation as part of diplomatic efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region.

This meeting follows talks held by al-Sheibani in Amman in mid-month with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi and US Special Envoy Thomas Barrack. They agreed to form a Syrian-Jordanian-American working group to support ceasefire efforts in Sweida and work towards a comprehensive solution to the crisis. They also discussed a border crossing between Israel and Sweida.

Israel's meetings with the transitional government come in the wake of violence that erupted in the Druze-majority Sweida on July 13, killing hundreds. Israel intervened with airstrikes to support the Druze against the Syrian transitional government forces and the tribal fighters who supported them.

The violence in Sweida began with clashes between Druze militants and Bedouins, before transitional government forces intervened and massacred civilians. That day, Israel launched strikes near the presidential palace and the General Staff headquarters in Damascus.

Sh-S

ANHA