Sharaa says Israeli demands for demilitarised zone puts Syria in 'dangerous' position

2025-12-07 12:37:10

Damascus -- Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told the Doha Forum Saturday that Israel's continued insistence on a demilitarised zone in the country's south could lead the two nations to a "dangerous place". Israeli troops continue to occupy a UN-patrolled area in the Golan Heights and have repeatedly launched military operations deeper into Syria.

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Saturday that Israel seeking a demilitarised zone in his country's south put Syria in a dangerous position, as Israeli forces keep up military operations in the area.

Syria has insisted on respecting a 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel "that has held for over 50 years – in one way or another it is a successful agreement", Sharaa told the Doha Forum, adding that tampering with the deal "and seeking other agreements such as a demilitarised zone ... could lead us to a dangerous place".

Israel's forces remain in a UN-patrolled buffer zone on the occupied Golan Heights and conduct regular incursions deeper into Syria despite the two sides holding direct talks.