Al-Joulani: "Syria is working to reach a security agreement with Israel"

Syrian leader Ahmad al-Shara gave an interview on Sunday to Al Jazeera and revealed that Syria's policy is to "avoid confrontation with Israel." In this context, he expressed his opposition to Syrian military intervention in Lebanon, contrary to the statements of US President Donald Trump that "al-Joulani will deal with Hezbollah." Al-Shara further revealed that instead of confrontation, he is working to reach diplomatic understandings and agreements with Israel while involving other countries in the process.

However, there is a catch: according to al-Shara,

"If the security agreement with Israel succeeds, it will pave the way for a comprehensive peace without waiving Syria's right to the occupied Golan Heights."

It seems that al-Shara's words refer to the repeated calls by US President Donald Trump to Israel, which implied that he is working for Syria to take responsibility for the Lebanese arena: "Focus on Iran, al-Joulani will deal with Hezbollah."

As recalled, contacts between the Syrian leader, the US, and Israel have taken place in the past. As reported, al-Shara met in the past with Tzachi Hanegbi, head of the National Security Council. As part of the talks, al-Shara allegedly agreed to waive the Golan Heights in exchange for Israeli recognition of his rule, alongside the establishment of three buffer zones in southern Syria and granting permission for Syrian forces to carry light weapons in the area.

According to al-Shara's latest remarks to Al Jazeera, it appears that on one hand, Syria's policy is focused on the diplomatic arena while refusing to confront Israel and even investing efforts in reaching security agreements. On the other hand, it seems that the deal in which Syria would waive the Golan in exchange for recognition of al-Shara's rule has not only been taken off the table, but has turned 180 degrees.