Syria seeks Israel withdrawal to 1974 lines in security deal

Addressing participants at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, President Ahmad al-Sharaa articulated Damascus's strategy for stabilizing relations with its southwestern neighbor. The Syrian transitional leader emphasized that sustainable regional security necessitates restoring the military demarcation established over fifty years ago along the Purple Line. His administration proposes initiating talks focused on establishing robust security protocols that would compel Israeli military units to retreat to positions maintained prior to recent territorial expansions into the buffer zone.

Territorial Claims and Golan Heights

The Damascus government maintains an unwavering position regarding the contested plateau. Sharaa explicitly dismissed any legitimacy concerning Israel's annexation of the mountainous region, declaring such recognition invalid under international frameworks. He characterized the territory as an inalienable right belonging to the Syrian populace rather than any temporary governing authority. Should preliminary security protocols prove successful, subsequent negotiations might explore comprehensive settlement options addressing the future governance and sovereignty of the occupied lands.

Security Landscape After Regime Change

Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's administration on December 8, 2024, Israeli authorities announced the termination of the five-decade-old armistice accord and subsequently seized the demilitarized buffer zone separating the two states. Despite the emerging Syrian leadership refraining from hostile rhetoric toward Jerusalem, military operations have intensified considerably. Israeli warplanes have conducted numerous sorties targeting infrastructure within Syrian territory, resulting in civilian casualties and the destruction of military installations and weapons stockpiles.

Broader Regional Implications

The proposal emerges against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical alignments in the Levant. Ankara's hosting of these diplomatic overtures underscores Türkiye's pivotal mediation role in regional conflict resolution. Security analysts suggest that reinstating the 1974 armistice lines could establish necessary trust-building measures, potentially opening pathways toward broader normalization agreements. However, the continued Israeli military presence in the buffer zone and ongoing aerial bombardments present immediate obstacles to initiating substantive dialogue between the capitals.