Syrian and Israeli officials decide to 'continue talks'
According to a report by Syrian state television Ekhbariya citing a diplomatic source, no final agreement was reached during the meeting between Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris, but the parties agreed to continue the talks.
İHA
Syrian and Israeli officials held a meeting yesterday in Paris, the capital of France, with the participation of the US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack.
Details regarding the meeting, which was held between officials from the two countries to control tensions in southern Syria, emerged today.
According to a report by Syrian state television Ekhbariya citing a diplomatic source, no final agreement was reached during the meeting, but the parties agreed to continue the talks and to evaluate steps aimed at maintaining stability in southern Syria.
"DAMASCUS WILL NOT ACCEPT THE IMPOSITION OF NEW REALITIES ON THE GROUND"
According to the report, the unnamed source described the meeting as "honest and responsible." The diplomatic source stated that the meeting included initial consultations aimed at "de-escalation and opening communication channels amid the climate of escalation that has been ongoing since the beginning of December." According to the source, the Syrian side held Israel responsible for the recent escalation and stated that the continuation of such "hostile policies" threatens the region. The Syrian delegation also expressed that Damascus would not accept "the imposition of new realities on the ground."
CLASHES IN AS-SUWAYDA
Mutual clashes between Druze armed groups and Bedouins began on Sunday, July 13, in the city of As-Suwayda in southern Syria. The Israeli army targeted Syrian government forces heading to As-Suwayda on Monday and Tuesday in an attempt to end the armed clashes.
Syrian Minister of Defense Major General Murhaf Abu Kasra announced on Tuesday that a ceasefire had been declared in the Druze-majority city of As-Suwayda. However, the ceasefire was broken on Wednesday, and clashes between government forces and Druze groups resumed.
With the resumption of clashes, Israel, using the safety of the Druze population as a pretext, carried out airstrikes on the area where the Presidential Palace is located in the capital Damascus, as well as on the General Staff Headquarters and the city of Daraa.
A ceasefire was achieved on Wednesday with Turkey's initiative, and units affiliated with the Syrian army withdrew from As-Suwayda. However, clashes resumed on Thursday evening, and the Israeli army carried out an airstrike on As-Suwayda. The Syrian Presidency announced a comprehensive ceasefire on July 19, calling on all parties to comply with the ceasefire.