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The Day · Sunday 7 December 2025

Filed 22:16 · Palestine time (UTC+2) · World

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Damascus Links Security Agreement to Full Israeli Withdrawal from Syrian Soil

Damascus declares that any potential security agreement is contingent upon the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian soil. The announcement underscores Syria’s firm stance on sovereignty and resistance against occupation. The decision presents a clear condition that frames future negotiations, demanding an end to all Israeli presence on Syrian territory.

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 will not consider signing a security agreement unless there is a full Israeli withdrawal from Syrian soil. The position, communicated through official channels, reaffirms Syria’s unwavering stance on the necessity of restoring complete territorial sovereignty as a precondition for any formal security arrangements.

The declaration puts a decisive emphasis on the occupation of Syrian land and signals a continued policy of resistance against any normalization processes that do not address what it labels as the foundational issue: the presence of Israeli forces on sovereign Syrian territory. Damascus’ move comes within the broader context of confronting occupation and asserting national rights, a stance that aligns with long-standing principles upheld by the Syrian leadership.

From its side, Damascus emphasized that any dialogue on security measures or agreements must begin with the total removal of Israeli forces from all Syrian lands. The precondition is not open to negotiation, according to sources in the capital, marking a red line that defines the framework of any future diplomatic steps.

Meanwhile, Syrian officials maintain that security cannot be achieved under occupation, and any proposals that overlook this central issue serve to legitimize unlawful presence on Syria’s internationally recognized territory. The insistence on a complete Israeli withdrawal demonstrates the centrality of sovereignty in Syria’s diplomatic and security policies.

In addition, Damascus views the current situation as one that cannot allow compromises on national land, asserting that security agreements that fail to guarantee full territorial restoration are both illegitimate and unsustainable. This perspective reflects a broader rejection of partial settlements or phased approaches that neglect the root causes of instability in the region.

The statement further sheds light on the continued tension between Damascus and Tel Aviv, with the Syrian government reiterating that resistance to occupation remains a principle, not merely a negotiating tool. Official commentary from Damascus did not specify any timeframes or potential consequences should this condition be ignored, but its reiteration marks a firm positioning ahead of any future discussions.

Observers note that the Syrian leadership considers Israeli withdrawal an irreversible demand that governs its engagement with any external parties. The linkage between security agreements and territorial withdrawal serves to highlight Damascus’ assessment that peace and occupation are fundamentally incompatible.

Damascus’ announcement is expected to set the tone for any upcoming regional engagement, underscoring the central role that sovereignty and resistance play in the nation’s foreign policy. Officials underline that no security framework can be genuine in the face of ongoing occupation, and until Israeli forces leave Syrian soil completely, there will be no agreement signed by Damascus.

7 Dec, 22:16

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