Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has concluded his visit to the United States with two major issues still unresolved, namely US sanctions on Syria and a possible security deal with Israel.
Sharaa met US President Donald Trump and other world leaders during the visit but left before the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
There were rumours earlier regarding a Netanyahu-Sharaa meeting but the Syrian leader has ruled out any normalisation with Israel, saying that talks were only focused on a security deal that would stop Israel’s frequent attacks and incursions into Syrian territory.
However, even this expectation has been scaled back, with talk of a less binding, more temporary “de-escalation agreement” - similar to the one which existed between the Assad regime and opposition forces in Idlib before 2024 - rather than a full security deal.
Sharaa was the first Syrian leader to visit the United States or address the UN General Assembly since 1967.
The visit was seen as a major step toward restoring Syria’s place in the international community after years of isolation and international sanctions, but the results were less than expected.
Security deal scuppered
Reuters reported on Friday that a last-minute demand by Israel to create a “humanitarian corridor” to the Druze-majority province of Suweida meant that the security deal could not be signed.
The province saw violent clashes last July between mostly Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces on the one hand and Druze militias on the other. Hundreds of people were killed and all sides were accused of committing atrocities against civilians.
Israel has tried to position itself as a “protector” of the Druze while openly stating its desire to split Syria along ethnic and sectarian lines.
It has also demanded the demilitarisation of Syria south of Damascus and a no-fly zone, which would severely reduce Syria’s sovereignty over its own territory.
US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said in New York, however, that Syria and Israel are close to reaching a de-escalation agreement, which he said would be a first step toward a broader security agreement.
Barrack told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump “sought to reach an agreement between the two sides that would be announced this week, but not enough progress has been made so far, and the Jewish New Year holiday this week has slowed the process.”
He explained that the de-escalation deal would involve Israel halting attacks on Syria, while Damascus agrees not to deploy heavy weapons near the border with the Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
In New York, Al-Sharaa said Israel has launched about 1,000 air raids and 400 ground incursions while continuing to occupy the Golan Heights.
He signalled readiness to discuss Israel’s security concerns if a first-stage deal restores the 1974 disengagement agreement, opening the door to talks on the Golan and longer-term relations.
Sanctions still in place amid stringent US demands
In the US, Sharaa met with President Donald Trump for the second time, during a reception the latter hosted on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The two men were photographed shaking hands, but broader talks did not take place, due apparently to the failure to reach an agreement with Israel.
US sanctions against Syria passed under the Caesar Act are still in force, although some have been suspended.
In his speech to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Sharaa called for the lifting of sanctions, saying that all reasons for them had disappeared with the fall of the Assad regime.
However, members of the US Congress have recently indicated that the Caesar Act will not be removed unless Syria complies with strict US demands, including peaceful relations with Israel, guaranteed representation of minorities in government, and joining the international coalition against the Islamic State group.