Abraham Accords Are Focus of Reported Israel-Syria Talks

Latest Developments

• Israeli, Syrian Officials Meet: Israel is reportedly holding talks with Syrian officials, even raising the possibility of Damascus joining the Abraham Accords — a series of bilateral normalization agreements between Israel and Bahrain, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan. According to various Israeli media reports, discussions are being mediated by either the United Arab Emirates or Qatar. One recent meeting was reportedly held in Azerbaijan between head of the IDF Operations Directorate Maj. Gen. Oded Basyuk and representatives from the Syrian interim government, along with a Turkish delegation.
• Trump Urges Syrian Leader to Join Accords: U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 14 that he had urged interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords during a brief meeting between the two leaders in Saudi Arabia. Trump reportedly also requested that Sharaa “deport Palestinian terrorists” from Syria and assume control of camps housing captured ISIS terrorists. His remarks came after the United States announced it would be lifting sanctions on the new Syrian government — an effective recognition of Sharaa’s leadership.
• Rubio Meets With Syrian Counterpart: U.S. Secretary of State and interim National Security Advisor Marco Rubio met with Syrian Foreign Minister Hassan al-Shaibani on May 15, welcoming reports of talks between Damascus and Jerusalem. U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio “affirmed the United States’ support for sanctions relief to stabilize Syria. He welcomed the Syrian government’s calls for peace with Israel, efforts to end Iran’s influence in Syria, commitment to ascertaining the fate of U.S. citizens missing or killed in Syria, and elimination of all chemical weapons.” Additionally, Rubio “underscored the critical importance of protecting the human rights of all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religion.”

FDD Expert Response

“The president pledged to lift all sanctions on Syria but did not give specifics about the process. Rubio’s message was that there needs to be reciprocity. Syria has to address U.S. concerns, especially the presence of terrorists, for the process of lifting sanctions to keep moving forward. That kind of gradual, reversible approach is the one the administration needs to take.” — David Adesnik, Vice President of Research

“Syria joining the Abraham Accords is still just talk dressed up as headlines. Sharaa is nowhere near securing control over his fractured country, let alone expelling the network of foreign jihadists embedded within his ranks. Additionally, any agreement that hints at legitimizing Israeli control over the Golan Heights could spark a firestorm inside Syria. How will the Syrian people react to a deal that trades land for normalization? Will Israel continue its airstrikes against potential threats from Syria? How will Sharaa be seen by the Syrian people if he allows that? All these questions must be addressed before seriously discussing Syria’s admission into the Abraham Accords.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

“Israel is taking the steps necessary to engage the new Syrian government to address its pressing security concerns. Pushing Iran permanently out of Syria will require a lasting relationship with Sharaa and an understanding that the IDF will continue to target Iranian weapon smuggling through Syrian territory. Israel is also making it clear that extremist jihadi terror cells operating along its border will need to be reined in or else eliminated. While Sharaa has floated Syria joining the Abraham Accords, more immediate security concerns for Israel, including Turkish encroachment in Syria, Jihadist terror cells, and Iranian smuggling networks are first-order priorities.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations at FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“From Wanted to Welcomed: Trump Meets Syria’s Ahmad al-Sharaa,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Can Syria’s New Government Protect the Country’s Minorities?” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Israel renews airstrikes in Syria as sectarian violence flares,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Clashes erupt between Druze militias and pro-government forces in Syria,” by Ahmad Sharawi