On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of avoiding a recurrence of violence in Syria. Following a conversation with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, he called for accountability for those responsible for the recent violent incidents in the country.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Macron stated that “the recent acts of violence in Syria showcase the severe fragility of the transitional process. It is crucial to protect civilians,” and he urged for “calm dialogue” locally to facilitate the goal of unifying Syria while respecting the rights of all its citizens.
Recent clashes erupted in the Druze-majority province of Sweida on July 13, involving local armed groups and Bedouins, which escalated into deadly confrontations that drew in government forces and tribal militias. During this period, Israel launched strikes on official sites in Damascus and military targets in Sweida.
Last Sunday, a ceasefire agreement came into effect, which Macron welcomed as a “positive sign.”
The French President added, “I spoke with the Syrian president about the necessity of finding a political solution that includes all local parties within a national framework of governance and security.”
On Friday, Paris, Damascus, and Washington agreed to hold a new round of talks “as soon as possible” between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces in the French capital, aiming to integrate the Kurds into the Syrian state.
On March 10, Al-Shara and the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, signed an agreement under U.S. sponsorship, which primarily called for the “integration of all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the administration of the Syrian state.”
In this context, Macron urged on Saturday that “the negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian authorities must progress in good faith.”
According to the Élysée Palace, the two leaders also discussed “talks with Israel,” expressing their support for cooperation regarding the stabilization of the Syrian-Lebanese border.
A diplomatic source in Damascus reported to AFP on Thursday that an unprecedented meeting took place between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Meanwhile, U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barak announced on social media that he met with both Syrian and Israeli representatives in Paris.
On Saturday, a Syrian diplomatic source indicated that the meeting addressed the possibility of activating the disengagement agreement and “containment of escalation,” although it did not result in “final agreements.” It was noted that other meetings would be held in the future, as reported by the official Syrian television.