Syria Weighs Joining Mecca Security Pact Amid Regional Challenges
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, …
Speaking at the annual Manama Dialogue in the capital of Bahrain, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani stated that state-building efforts in southern Syria are facing existential hurdles. He noted that the region has been subjected to over a thousand acts of aggression by Israel in a span of less than two years.
The top Syrian diplomat revealed that his country is actively reviewing the possibility of joining the Mecca defense pact, a security framework previously signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, adding that consultations on the matter are currently underway.
Al-Shibani emphasized that Syria has transitioned away from being merely a frontline conflict zone to reclaim its role in regional security decision-making. He asserted that genuine security depends on the capacity of governments to protect their citizens, mutual respect for state sovereignty among neighbors, and the resilience of treaties under severe stress.
Highlighting the technical requirements for border management, the Syrian official pointed out that safeguarding national boundaries necessitates trained personnel and advanced equipment. Furthermore, he stressed that countering cross-border smuggling networks requires robust intelligence sharing and operational coordination to preserve sovereignty and protect civilians.
Addressing broader geopolitical issues, Al-Shibani called for a return to the military lines existing prior to December 8, 2024, and the reactivation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. He firmly reiterated that the Golan Heights remain Syrian territory, with UN Security Council Resolution 497 serving as the primary legal framework.
Concluding his remarks, the Syrian official underscored that regional stability is inextricably linked to ending the crisis in Gaza and establishing a viable pathway toward an independent Palestinian state. He warned that any regional arrangement ignoring Palestinian rights would amount to nothing more than a fragile truce between successive wars.
