Hendra Wijaya
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syria has been navigating a complex political landscape, opting for diplomatic engagement with Israel over military confrontation. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of over a decade of war, its officials have prioritized a policy of non-aggression towards neighboring countries. However, Israel's persistent disruptions, including repeated attacks on Syrian soil, have posed significant challenges to this peace-oriented approach.
The new Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has expressed its intent to seek peace with all neighbors, including Israel. Despite these overtures, Israel has continued to disrupt peace efforts through military actions, including strikes on Syrian military infrastructure and the deployment of troops in southern Syria, beyond the occupied Golan Heights.
Analysts suggest that Syria's pragmatic approach to diplomacy is a reflection of its limited options. "Syria’s government is intensely pragmatic in that it’s willing to basically sit down and talk to and do deals with people as long as it promotes Syria’s national interest," Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer on security studies at King's College London, told Al Jazeera.
Under the al-Assad presidency, Syria was a part of the Iran-driven "axis of resistance," utilizing its territory for the transport of weapons and financial aid to Tehran's Lebanese allies, Hezbollah. However, the Syrian military has not engaged in military conflict with Israel since a 1974 disengagement agreement signed under Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad.
The fall of the al-Assad government in December 2024 prompted an immediate response from Israel, which attacked Syria's military infrastructure and moved troops into southern Syria. Despite President al-Sharaa's declarations of non-aggression and peace efforts, Israel has continued to threaten the Syrian government and bomb key facilities.
Syria's government has responded to these provocations by seeking regional and international support, gaining the trust of the Trump administration in the US and forging close ties with Turkey and several Gulf states. Despite the ongoing Israeli aggression, Syria remains committed to diplomatic efforts.
"We do not trust Israel currently," Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani told Reuters. "Damascus does not currently consider Israel a trustworthy political partner, but it views negotiations with it as a security necessity."
Syria has also filed multiple complaints with the United Nations regarding Israel's actions. "Damascus has three immediate demands," said Souhayb Jawhar, a Lebanese analyst with Badil, a Beirut-based think tank. These demands include stopping Israeli strikes and incursions into Syrian territory, as well as the release of Syrian citizens arrested by Israeli forces.
Despite the country's desire for stability and reconstruction, the continued Israeli aggression has caused hard feelings among Syrians. "After years of war, Syrians are exhausted and certainly not interested in another war," said Bente Scheller, head of Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung’s Middle East and North Africa Division. "However, Israel acting with impunity in Syria creates hard feelings and undermines support for normalization or even peace."
Syria's approach to diplomacy with Israel, even amidst ongoing provocations, is seen as the least costly option for a nation rebuilding after years of conflict. "The Syrian leadership does not want to open a military front with Israel while it is rebuilding its army, state, and economy," said Jawhar. "It is also counting on the United States to impose constraints on Israeli behavior."
Recent talks between Syria and Israel, mediated by the US, have aimed to establish practical mechanisms to halt Israeli attacks and to revive negotiations for a lasting security agreement. However, with Israel's recent attack on a Syrian airbase near Idlib, it remains to be seen whether Syria's diplomatic approach can endure.
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