Damascus:Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced on Saturday that discussions are underway regarding Syria's potential entry into the Mecca alliance, a regional pact involving Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. This statement was made during a session focused on regional security at the Manama Dialogue 2026.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Shaibani emphasized Syria's role as an "integral" component of regional security, expressing support for frameworks that aim to maintain regional stability. He underscored the necessity for developing joint deterrence and defense systems, highlighting the region's heightened need for such collaboration.

In addressing the ongoing conflict in Yemen, Shaibani reiterated Syria's backing of the Yemeni government in its efforts to restore sovereignty and stability. He called upon all parties to uphold the unity and sovereignty of states.

On a related note, the Syrian foreign minister accused Israel of conducting over 1,000 attacks on Syrian territory within a span of less than two years, resulting in numerous casualties. He questioned the justification for calls on border control and exclusive state control of weapons while Syrian sovereignty is continually breached.

Shaibani condemned the Israeli actions and advocated for a return to the pre-December 8, 2024, boundaries, alongside the enforcement of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. He asserted that the Golan Heights belongs to Syria, referencing UN Security Council Resolution 497 on this issue.

Since the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, Israel has occupied the Syrian buffer zone established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, positioning military forces both within and outside this zone, a move criticized by the UN as a breach of the agreement.