Washington reportedly fears Syrian leader’s drift toward Russia, China
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Friday, citing an unnamed U.S. official, that President Donald Trump is seeking to advance a settlement between Israel and Syria to keep transitional Syrian President Ahmed Shar’a aligned with what Washington describes as “moderate states,” and to prevent his drift toward Russia, China, or Iran.
The official said ongoing talks have made notable progress, though normalization is not currently on the agenda. He described the existence of communication channels between Tel Aviv and Damascus as a significant development and “a historic event.”
According to the same source, the United States proposed that Israel supply Syria with gas as a step aimed at bolstering stability. The Israeli side has not rejected the idea.
The newspaper noted, however, that Israel continues to show a degree of mistrust toward the Syrian president, while U.S. officials press forward with efforts to advance the track. The next phase is expected to become clearer following Trump’s upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Haaretz reported that disagreements remain between Israel and the United States over the Syrian file. Trump has for months pushed for security arrangements that include Israeli withdrawal from areas captured about a year ago in Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights, while Netanyahu has expressed skepticism and reservations.
In a related development, Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called during a Security Council session Thursday for the establishment of a demilitarized zone extending from Damascus to the current buffer area. He stressed that Israel “will not allow Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, or any other groups to reposition near its northern borders.”
Danon affirmed that Israel will continue defending its borders and will not permit what he described as “terrorists and militants” to operate close to its territory.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently announced that security contacts between Israel and Syria had taken place in past months under U.S. mediation, aimed at exploring possible security arrangements along the northern border.
During a closed session of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Sa’ar said Israel “is ready to consider an agreement,” provided its security is preserved and freedom of military action near the border is guaranteed. He emphasized that any future arrangements must include continued Israeli control over strategic points, particularly Mount Hermon, which he described as vital to Israel’s warning and deterrence system.
Maariv quoted sources present at the meeting as saying Sa’ar’s position reflects a clear security approach, rejecting regional changes that could restrict Israel’s freedom of action against perceived threats from Syria and Lebanon.
The paper added that the United States has been conducting undisclosed talks with both sides for months, aiming to reduce friction and push toward limited security arrangements, including reducing heavy Syrian military presence near the border in exchange for lowering the frequency of Israeli strikes inside Syria.