Overview

• At a New York event during the UN General Assembly, President Ahmed al‑Sharaa said Syria needs a sovereignty‑preserving security agreement and cautioned that continued Israeli incursions risk wider instability.
• US Special Envoy Tom Barrack said a limited de‑escalation agreement is close, with progress slowed by the Rosh Hashana holiday, and outlined terms including an Israeli halt to attacks and Syrian restrictions near the frontier.
• Al‑Sharaa rejected any partition of Syria, warning it would destabilize neighbors such as Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.
• He played down prospects of Damascus recognizing Israel and accused Israel of exploiting Syria’s fragility with repeated strikes and airspace violations, which Israel has justified as protecting the Druze minority.
• Seeking international reintegration, al‑Sharaa highlighted warming ties with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iraq, while UN diplomats voiced skepticism over accountability, human rights and the impact of sanctions on investment.