I24 News reports that the newly established Syrian government is quietly opening backchannel communications with Israel—efforts reportedly supported by Saudi Arabia. The move marks a potential turning point in Middle Eastern diplomacy, signaling the collapse of Iran’s grip on Damascus and the emergence of a new regional alignment.
A Post-Assad Syria Seeking Stability
Since the downfall of the Iranian-backed Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has been governed by a transitional authority led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has promised to dismantle the legacy of dictatorship and terrorism that plagued the country for over a decade. With Iran’s influence eradicated and Hezbollah’s power in freefall, Syria now stands at a crossroads.
The new Syrian leadership, aware of its need for legitimacy and economic recovery, appears to be recalibrating its foreign policy away from Iranian hegemony and toward regional integration. This includes possible normalization with Israel—a move unthinkable under the Assad regime but now viewed as a pathway to peace, development, and security.
Saudi Arabia: The Quiet Power Broker
Saudi Arabia’s involvement in this initiative underscores Riyadh’s growing role as a regional mediator and stabilizing force. Having already participated in normalization talks with Israel in previous years, the Kingdom is now extending its influence to help broker historic ties between former adversaries.
Backed by Saudi diplomacy and potentially U.S. support, this Syrian-Israeli dialogue could signal a broader realignment in the Middle East—one that isolates Iran and empowers moderate, reform-driven governments to take control of their future.
Israel’s Strategic Opportunity
For Israel, this development is a vindication of its military and strategic doctrine. The Iron Swords War, launched in response to the October 7 massacre, didn’t just aim to eliminate Hamas—it sought to dismantle Iran’s regional terror network. The collapse of the Assad regime was a direct result of this doctrine, achieved through relentless Israeli airstrikes on IRGC positions, Hezbollah weapons convoys, and Syrian military infrastructure.
With the new Syrian leadership now seeking peaceful engagement, Israel’s deterrence and diplomatic credibility have reached unprecedented levels.
A Region in Transition
The possibility of Syrian-Israeli normalization is more than a political milestone—it is a defeat for Iran, Hezbollah, and every regime that has used Syria as a launching pad for terror. It reflects the changing reality on the ground: that peace in the region is only possible once Iran’s influence is uprooted and freedom-oriented states are empowered.
Conclusion
If these backchannel efforts succeed, it will mark one of the most significant diplomatic breakthroughs in decades—transforming a former battlefield into a potential partner. As Syria moves away from the shadow of tyranny and terror, its future may, at last, align with the cause of peace and prosperity.
Israel, for its part, will continue to defend its borders, protect its people, and pursue peace—but only with those who reject terrorism and embrace truth.
When Israel fights, terror loses.
