What's happened
Saudi Arabia warns Israel that its actions in Syria hinder normalization talks. Meanwhile, Israel continues to support Druze militias in southern Syria, amid ongoing infighting and regional power plays. The situation reflects complex regional dynamics and shifting alliances.
What's behind the headline?
The current escalation in Syria underscores a complex regional chess game. Israel's support for Druze militias, including arming and paying fighters, signals a strategic move to create proxy forces that can counter the Syrian regime and Iran's influence. The infighting among Druze factions, exacerbated by Israeli aid and internal power struggles, reveals the fragility of these proxy arrangements. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's warning to Israel highlights the diplomatic tension, as Riyadh seeks to balance regional alliances and push for a normalization deal with Israel, which is now hindered by ongoing Israeli military support and incursions in Syria. Russia's deployment and diplomatic efforts suggest a desire to stabilize the region on Moscow's terms, while the US appears to be cautiously engaging with Syrian opposition figures like Sharaa, aiming to leverage opposition factions against Iran and Assad. The next phase will likely see increased proxy activity, regional diplomacy, and possibly further destabilization if these tensions escalate, impacting broader Middle Eastern stability.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Saudi Arabia has warned Israel that its continued military actions in Syria are obstructing normalization talks, emphasizing regional diplomatic tensions. The same source details Israel's covert support to Druze militias, including weapons and financial aid, to counter the Syrian regime and influence local factions. The Times of Israel highlights that Israel's arms supplies peaked in late April and have since ebbed, amid concerns over Druze infighting and regional stability. It also notes Israel's cautious engagement with Syrian opposition leader Sharaa, aiming to leverage potential cooperation against Iran, while maintaining a wary stance due to his jihadist past. These contrasting perspectives illustrate the layered regional strategy: Israel's military support is both a tactical move and a diplomatic signal, while Saudi Arabia's warnings reflect broader regional diplomacy and the delicate balance of alliances in the Middle East.
How we got here
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria has experienced increased instability. Russia and Damascus are working to restore relations, with Russia deploying forces near Latakia and seeking to reposition Syrian troops. Israel has expressed a preference for Russian military presence over Turkish influence in southern Syria, while regional tensions escalate. Meanwhile, Israel has been discreetly supporting Druze militias in Suweida, providing weapons and financial aid, aiming to counterbalance the Syrian regime and influence local power structures. These developments are part of broader regional efforts involving the US, Russia, and Israel, amid ongoing sectarian and geopolitical conflicts.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
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