Syrian Foreign Minister Says Israeli Strikes Hinder Normalization Amid Assad Regime Fall
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani told CNN that Israeli strikes on Syria following the fall of the Assad regime have left his country “stunned” and made discussions about normalization with Israel particularly challenging.
In an exclusive interview with Fareed Zakaria at the Council on Foreign Relations, aired Sunday, al-Shibani criticized Israel for acting in ways that “obstructed” the Syrian government during a period of heightened sectarian violence in the south. He emphasized that a strong and unified Syria would enhance regional stability, which could ultimately benefit Israel.
“The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship last December prompted a major response from Israel,” al-Shibani said. “Airstrikes targeted military sites across Syria, and Israeli troops moved into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years.”
Israel has argued that these strikes were necessary to prevent chemical weapons and long-range missiles from falling into the hands of extremists. But al-Shibani said the attacks shocked the Syrian people, especially since militias aligned with Iran or Hezbollah had largely left with the former Assad regime.
“We pose no threat to anyone in the region, including Israel,” he said. “Yet these efforts toward cooperation and peace were met with threats and military strikes.”
When asked about the possibility of normalization between Syria and Israel, al-Shibani described it as “difficult” given the ongoing tensions, citing the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020.
“So, to talk about normalization and the Abraham Accords is a bit difficult,” he added.
Despite these tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence in the resilience of the Abraham Accords. Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu said:
“I think you’ll see that not only are the Abraham Accords not endangered, they’ll be expanded to other countries.”
Sectarian Violence Complicates Syria-Israel Relations
Since the fall of the Assad regime, sectarian violence has surged in Syria. In March, hundreds were killed during a crackdown on the Alawite sect, the group to which Assad belonged, in the western city of Latakia. Clashes intensified in April between pro-government forces and Druze militias, followed by further confrontations in July involving Druze groups and local Bedouin tribes.
Israeli airstrikes followed these clashes, with Israel citing the protection of the Druze community as justification. Al-Shibani criticized these interventions, saying:
“Israel supported outlaw groups, which obstructed the Syrian government from resolving conflicts between the Bedouins and the Druze. Their involvement only complicated matters and put the Druze in a difficult and embarrassing position.”
Despite this, al-Shibani acknowledged that discussions between Syria and Israel are ongoing, with the potential for a future security agreement.
U.S. Support and Lifting of Sanctions
Al-Shibani highlighted positive moves by the United States in easing sanctions imposed on Syria under the Assad regime.
“The position of the United States, vis-à-vis Syria, since the day of liberation, has been very positive. Lifting sanctions has been met with strong support among the Syrian people,” he said.
Earlier this week, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa made his debut at the United Nations, calling for the complete removal of sanctions that he said continued to “shackle the Syrian people.”
“We’ve suffered injustice, deprivation, and oppression,” Al-Sharaa told diplomats. “Then we rose in claiming our dignity.”
Al-Shibani expressed hope that international engagement, including from the U.S., could help stabilize Syria and support the country’s path toward reconstruction and peace.
Implications for Regional Security
Al-Shibani stressed that a unified and stable Syria would benefit the broader Middle East, including Israel, by reducing opportunities for extremist groups to operate in the region. He framed Syria’s approach as one rooted in security cooperation and pragmatic diplomacy rather than confrontation.
“A strong and unified Syria would be good for regional security, and that will benefit Israel,” he said.
However, the legacy of the Assad regime and ongoing Israeli military interventions remain significant obstacles to formal normalization. The minister’s comments suggest that Syria views Israel’s actions as a barrier to diplomacy, particularly given the lingering presence of armed militias and unresolved sectarian tensions.
Moving Forward
While the Abraham Accords continue to show resilience, the path toward including Syria appears uncertain. Al-Shibani emphasized that trust-building measures and support for domestic stability are critical before Syria could consider broader regional agreements.
“The people of Syria are seeking peace, but peace cannot be imposed by outside threats or military interventions,” he said.
The situation underscores the complex geopolitics of the Middle East, where longstanding conflicts, sectarian divisions, and shifting alliances continue to shape diplomatic possibilities.
As Syria navigates its post-Assad era, the international community’s approach, particularly from major powers like the U.S. and Israel, will play a pivotal role in determining whether stability, cooperation, and eventual normalization are achievable.