Scoop: U.S. working on Israel-Syria deal for humanitarian corridor to Suwayda
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Syrian security forces pose for a picture in Suwayda on July 15 following clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters. Photo: Sam Hariri AFP via Getty
The Trump administration is trying to broker a deal for a humanitarian corridor to run between Israel and the city of Suwayda in southern Syria to deliver aid to the Druze community there, one U.S. official and two Israeli officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: Israel bombed Syria last month amid violent clashes in Suwayda, claiming it was acting to defend Syria's Druze population in solidarity with Israel's own Druze minority.
- An agreement between the Syrian and Israeli governments on a humanitarian corridor could help repair relations and potentially rebuild momentum behind the U.S push for more steps towards the potential future normalization of relations.
- Such a corridor could also help improve the situation in Suwayda, where the situation has remained volatile despite a ceasefire. The UN warned this week about the deteriorating situation and the difficulty of delivering life-saving assistance due to roadblocks and insecurity.
- However, the Syrian government expressed concerns to the U.S. that Druze militias could use such a corridor to smuggle weapons.
Driving the news: U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack is expected to meet in Paris next week with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to try to reach an agreement.
- The meeting was originally scheduled for this Wednesday but was postponed to give more time to finish preparations and refine the agenda, two sources said.
- This will be the second such meeting in three weeks, after 25 years with virtually no engagement between Israel and Syria.
Behind the scenes: Israel, which has a politically influential Druze community, says it's committed to protecting Syria's Druze minority.
- Several weeks ago the Israelis wanted to deliver aid to the Druze in Suwayda through Jordan, but the Jordanians refused. Instead, the Israeli military air dropped humanitarian aid.
- Israel then asked the U.S. for help getting Syrian approval for an aid corridor, Israeli officials say.
- On Tuesday, Barrack met in Amman with the foreign ministers of Jordan and Syria to discuss ways to stabilize the situation in Suwayda.
Catch up quick: Suwayda, Syria's Druze-majority stronghold, has become the flashpoint of the country's fragile transition.
- Fighting between Druze and Bedouin fighters in July killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands, and included reports of atrocities against civilians.
- Israel not only bombed Syrian tanks heading to Suwayda, but even bombed Damascus — a move that alarmed U.S. officials, who feared Israel was fueling instability in Syria.
Editor's note: This story was updated with the news that the meeting was postponed to next week.
