Syria and Israel hold US-mediated talks in Jordan
Syria and Israel held high-level talks in Jordan mediated by the United States, aimed at reducing tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. This was reported by Korea Herald, citing Syria’s state news agency SANA, which quoted a diplomatic source at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Security talks
According to SANA, the sides discussed practical mechanisms for ending Israeli strikes, detentions and targeted operations. They also discussed resuming talks on a security agreement that could become the basis for a broader arrangement in the future.
Participants in the meeting addressed measures to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey so that their rivalry would not spread to Syrian territory.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani told Reuters the previous day that Damascus expects security talks with Israel to resume soon, but stressed the lack of trust between the sides. According to him, the talks were suspended from the start of the war with Iran, and after Israel struck the Abu al-Duhur airbase last week, Syria completely cut off contacts.
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Al-Shaibani also said that at the beginning of the year, the sides agreed on paper on almost all provisions, including arrangements on security zones in southern Syria and a buffer zone where only UN forces were to be present. At the same time, he said Damascus doubts Israel’s willingness to implement such an agreement. The office of Israel’s prime minister did not respond to a Reuters request for comment on these statements.
Damascus’ position on the Golan
During the talks, the Syrian side named as priorities Israel’s withdrawal of troops to the positions it held before the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, as well as the full restoration of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Damascus stated that it would not agree to restrictions on its right to rebuild and develop its own armed forces or to independently determine its alliances and partnerships.
Syria again stated that the Golan Heights occupied by Israel are Syrian territory, but called discussions of the region’s final status premature. Israel has repeatedly struck Syrian military facilities since Assad’s overthrow, saying the actions are necessary for its security. Syria denies that it poses a threat to Israel and demands an end to the strikes and incursions.
