Syria: Pedersen Resigns, Turkish-Israeli Diplomatic Tensions Rise… Security Agreement Proposed as Alternative to 1974 Accord
The Syrian file saw rapid political developments on Thursday, including the announcement of UN Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, resigning from his post, alongside Turkish statements in which Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned of regional risks facing the country, as well as Israel’s rejection of restructuring the Syrian army, coinciding with leaks of a US-backed Syrian-Israeli security agreement. These developments reflect the international and regional intertwinement in the Syrian crisis and raise questions about the future of the political process and stability trajectory.
Pedersen’s Resignation: Warning of a Prolonged Conflict
UN Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen announced his resignation on Thursday, 18 September 2025, after nearly seven years in the position. Pedersen stated before the UN Security Council that he had informed the UN Secretary-General of his decision to step down, calling for continued efforts toward achieving political transition.
The outgoing envoy emphasized that the Syrian government and people face unprecedented challenges, warning that continued external military interventions could leave the country trapped in open conflicts. He also stressed that the success of the transition process requires political stability through a comprehensive process, supported internationally at the broadest level.
Turkish Foreign Ministry: Syrian Crisis Extends Beyond Turkey’s Borders
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israeli policies constitute the greatest threat to Syria and the wider region. He explained in televised remarks that the new Syrian administration under Ahmed Al-Shar’a sent positive messages regarding regional issues.
Fidan noted that Ankara coordinated with several regional countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE, reaching a shared vision regarding the upcoming phase in Syria. He emphasized that the Syrian crisis represents a regional issue extending beyond Turkey’s borders, underlining that regional cooperation will be essential to confront challenges.
The Turkish Foreign Minister’s remarks came after a visit by Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin to Damascus, where he discussed developments in As-Suwayda province with officials following the announcement of a US- and Jordan-backed roadmap. This coincided with parallel talks between Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani and his Israeli counterpart Ron Dermer in Paris to explore security and political solutions for field developments.
Israel: Firm Rejection of Establishing a New Syrian Army
Conversely, Israeli Army Reserve Colonel Moshe Elad stated that Israel will not permit the establishment of a new Syrian army. He said in an interview with “i24 News” that this issue was discussed during ongoing negotiations with the Syrian side.
Elad added that Israel’s position is clear regarding preventing the formation of any army that could pose a future threat. He noted that the alternative proposed is the creation of a strong internal police force. He also clarified that Tel Aviv does not oppose cooperation with other countries, such as Jordan and Egypt, due to existing peace agreements.
Security Agreement as an Alternative to the 1974 Accord
These developments coincide with Israeli and Western reports of progress toward a security agreement between Syria and Israel, supported by a map released by the US Institute for the Study of War showing proposed arrangements in southern Syria.
The map shows the southern region divided into three areas, including an expansion of the buffer zone in Quneitra, the creation of an area prohibiting heavy military forces, and a third area that may be subject to extensive air restrictions up to the outskirts of Damascus.
According to Axios, the Israeli proposal aims to replace the 1974 disengagement agreement by establishing three demilitarized zones and controlling the airspace. Sources indicate that the agreement could be announced before the UN General Assembly, which President Ahmed Al-Shar’a is expected to attend.
The US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) released a purported map showing Israel’s proposed boundaries in southern Syria. The map indicates Israel retains the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon, along with an expanded security zone in Quneitra, while As-Suwayda province is designated as a no-fly zone for Syrian aircraft. pic.twitter.com/CblPdpbKq5
— Hamada . (@HamadaAldesouki) September 19, 2025
The announcement of the roadmap for resolving the As-Suwayda crisis sparked controversy over some of its provisions, particularly the clause delegating authority to the US to discuss Israel in the new security agreement. Observers interpreted this as an indication of external oversight, alongside the recent televised statements of the president discussing coordination with Moscow to maintain control over Damascus.
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