Syrian forces “withdrew their heavy weapons from all over the south” to Syriawhere the Israel It requires a demilitarized zone to be created, a Syrian military official said today (16.09.2025).
Although Israel and Syria have been theoretically in war for decades, according to the official, the withdrawal of the heavy arms of the Syrian army “began two months ago”.
Conflicts between communities had erupted in July – 2 months ago – in the southern Sueida province, which is mostly inhabited by Drouzos, pushing Syrian government forces to intervene.
Israel, in which a Droukon community lives, had then bombed Damascus, stating that it wants to protect this minority, and the government forces had retired from the city of Suheida.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated in late August that his country had been holding talks on the creation of a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.
A diplomat in the Syrian capital, who asked not to be named, said that the withdrawal of heavy weapons was applied from the south to “10 kilometers south of Damascus”.
Israel funds Drouz fighters
However, transitional Syrian President Ahmad al -Sarah said on Friday that his country was conducting negotiations with Israel to reach security agreement.
Last month, Syrian state media reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Al Simban and his Israeli counterpart Ron Dermer met in Paris to discuss the de -escalation and the situation in the Sueida province.
Washington is pushing to make enough progress until the UN General Assembly at the end of this month to allow President Donald Trump to announce a significant progress, four sources in Reuters said.
Two senior executives of Druzes, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that Israel helps to unify the divorces of the Drussians and has delivered them military material, including weapons and ammunition.
The two Druzers and a western source of information said that Israel also paid salaries for many of the approximately 3,000 Druzian militia fighters.
Syria has announced a plan with US and Jordan support
Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Saibani has announced a plan supported by Jordan and the US to restore tranquility to the Sueida province.
“The Syrian government has drawn up a clear road map … that supports justice and builds confidence,” Simbani said in a press conference, adding that the plan involves the performance of responsibility for those who attacked civilians, the compensation of the affected and the “internal” procedure.
The application will be accompanied by a United Nations research on violence.
Jordan Foreign Minister Aiman Safadi is present at the event with US envoy Tom Barack, said that a “common mechanism of Syria-Jordania-American” would ensure the implementation of the plan.