Al-Shaibani Urges Israeli Withdrawal and Border Coordination at Manama Dialogue

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani called on Saturday for Israel to return to the lines it held before December 8, 2024 and to implement the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, he condemned Israeli attacks and linked regional security to respect for sovereignty and stronger cooperation between neighboring states. Al-Shaibani said combating cross-border smuggling requires information sharing and operational coordination that protects civilians and respects national sovereignty. He argued that decisions taken outside such coordination undermine trust between neighbors. In his broader remarks on regional security, he said, “Arms derive their legitimacy solely from the legitimacy of the state.” He described Syria’s entry into the international coalition against ISIS as a historic step and emphasized the need for capable states and agreements that remain effective under pressure. Israel has described its military presence in Syria in terms of protecting its northern communities. In a September 24 statement, the IDF said the 228th Brigade had completed three months of operations in Syria’s security zone under the 210th Division. The army reported finding RPG rockets, mortar shells and Kalashnikov rifles and dismantling terrorist infrastructure. The IDF said operations would continue to protect Israeli civilians, particularly residents of the Golan Heights. That September statement predates al-Shaibani’s Manama address and sets out the army’s stated security rationale for its operations.