Syria’s Sharaa baulks at Abraham Accords with Israel during New York visit

Syria pursuing security deal with Israel to defuse heightened tensions

Amid U.S. mediation, President Sharaa is pushing for Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory occupied in the past year, but some worry he will concede too much.

Syria’s Sharaa baulks at Abraham Accords with Israel during New York visit

At a summit in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting on Monday, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said he was hopeful about security talks with Israel. But when asked if Syria would join the Abraham Accords, under which three Arab nations normalised relations with Israel, Sharaa voiced doubts about Israel's regional intentions.

How would an Israel-Syria security deal impact the Middle East?

Israel and Syria may be on the verge of signing a US-brokered security deal that would reshape the two countries’ relations and further bolster Tel Aviv’s influence in the Middle East. If signed, the deal would give Israel a buffer and demilitarised zone from southwest of Damascus to the Israeli northern border, increasing its leeway in the region. For the US, it would be a diplomatic win, while Syria’s new government risks criticism for concedi…