Syrian and Israeli officials meet in Paris, France with U.S. Mediation

PARIS – All efforts and mediations to halt the fighting in Suwayda, southern Syria, have failed. The clashes between Druze factions, as well as Bedouin tribes and Syrian government have resulted in over 1,200 casualties, including civilians and military personnel. The Syrian government has declared that it will hold all those involved in Suwayda violations accountable, even if they are affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense.

U.S. Druze citizen Hussam Saraya was among the victims of last week’s violence in Suwayda, prompting the U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott to call on the Syrian government to conduct an urgent investigation into the incident. U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack declared that he held talks with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris on Thursday regarding de-escalating sectarian violence in Syria.

“I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we precisely accomplished that. All parties reiterated their commitment to continuing these efforts,” Barrack stated Via X. 

I met this evening with the Syrians and Israelis in Paris. Our goal was dialogue and de-escalation, and we accomplished precisely that. All parties reiterated their commitment to continuing these efforts.

— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) July 24, 2025

Barrack did not disclose the identities of the Syrian and Israeli officials he met with. However, another senior diplomat revealed that Barrack facilitated discussions between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer to address the recent clashes that drew in the Israeli military. 

This is second meeting between Syrian and Israeli officials, following a 12th July, 2025 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Azerbaijan.

A scheduled meeting in Paris on Friday between Al-Shaibani, representatives of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES) and Barrack was postponed indefinitely for unknown reasons.

The meeting was intended to follow up on the March Agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

These obstacles and unexplained delays clearly indicate the Syrian government’s obstinacy and poor approach in engaging with key Syrian stakeholders on the ground, parties that deserve a decentralized, pluralistic federal system. 

Also Read: Anticipated meeting in Paris between DAARNES representatives and Syrian Government

Also Read: Clashes in Suwayda leave over 1,300 dead as Syrian Government pledges accountability despite little progress in investigation of previous coastal massacres