Syria's al-Sharaa seeks normalization with Israel under conditions

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has expressed openness to normalizing relations with Israel and potentially joining the Abraham Accords, as revealed in recent meetings with US Republican congressmen Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman. Sharaa indicated that normalization would be contingent on preserving Syria’s unity and sovereignty, addressing Israeli actions in the Golan Heights, and ending Israeli strikes in Syria. He also emphasized the need for negotiations and concrete steps, including the removal of US-imposed sanctions and the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles from the Assad era. The discussions highlighted Syria’s dire economic situation after years of civil war, with Sharaa seeking Gulf and international investment for reconstruction, currently hampered by US restrictions. The congressmen noted that Sharaa is willing to address US and Israeli security concerns, including counterterrorism efforts and the presence of foreign fighters in Syria. These overtures mark a significant shift from Syria's historic stance and are influenced by evolving regional dynamics following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.