Syria considering joining Makkah alliance, minister says

MANAMA — Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said Saturday that Damascus is evaluating the possibility of joining the Makkah alliance, a regional pact bringing together Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.”Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Makkah alliance,” Al-Shaibani said during a session on regional security at the Manama Dialogue 2026, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).The foreign minister described Syria as an integral part of regional security and reaffirmed Damascus’ support for initiatives aimed at strengthening regional stability.He stressed that the region was “in greater need than ever” of developing joint deterrence and defense systems to address growing security challenges.Addressing the conflict in Yemen, Al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s support for the Yemeni government in restoring its sovereignty and stability throughout the country.He also called on all parties to support the unity and sovereignty of states.Separately, Al-Shaibani accused Israel of carrying out more than 1,000 attacks on Syrian territory in less than two years, killing dozens of people.”Our territory has been subjected to more than 1,000 Israeli attacks in less than two years, killing dozens,” he said.”How can calls for border control and placing weapons exclusively under state control be justified while Syrian sovereignty is violated and targeted on a daily basis?” he asked.Condemning the attacks, the Syrian foreign minister called for a return to the lines that existed before Dec. 8, 2024, and full implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel.He reaffirmed that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory and cited UN Security Council Resolution 497 as the relevant international reference.Following the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024, Israel occupied the Syrian buffer zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and established military positions inside and outside the zone.The United Nations has described Israel’s presence in the buffer zone as a violation of the agreement.MANAMA — Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani said Saturday that Damascus is evaluating the possibility of joining the Makkah alliance, a regional pact bringing together Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan.”Discussions are currently underway to evaluate Syria’s entry into the Makkah alliance,” Al-Shaibani said during a session on regional security at the Manama Dialogue 2026, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).The foreign minister described Syria as an integral part of regional security and reaffirmed Damascus’ support for initiatives aimed at strengthening regional stability.He stressed that the region was “in greater need than ever” of developing joint deterrence and defense systems to address growing security challenges.Addressing the conflict in Yemen, Al-Shaibani reaffirmed Syria’s support for the Yemeni government in restoring its sovereignty and stability throughout the country.He also called on all parties to support the unity and sovereignty of states.Separately, Al-Shaibani accused Israel of carrying out more than 1,000 attacks on Syrian territory in less than two years, killing dozens of people.”Our territory has been subjected to more than 1,000 Israeli attacks in less than two years, killing dozens,” he said.”How can calls for border control and placing weapons exclusively under state control be justified while Syrian sovereignty is violated and targeted on a daily basis?” he asked.Condemning the attacks, the Syrian foreign minister called for a return to the lines that existed before Dec. 8, 2024, and full implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel.He reaffirmed that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory and cited UN Security Council Resolution 497 as the relevant international reference.Following the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, 2024, Israel occupied the Syrian buffer zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and established military positions inside and outside the zone.The United Nations has described Israel’s presence in the buffer zone as a violation of the agreement.