Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks to ease tensions: Report

Syria and Israel engaged in high-level talks in Jordan on Sunday, mediated by the United States, with the primary goal of de-escalating tensions after recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian soil. The discussions, reported by Syria's state news agency SANA, centered on practical measures to cease Israeli strikes, arrests, and targeted operations. A key objective was to revive negotiations for a security agreement that could pave the way for a broader future accord.

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Damascus expected security negotiations with Israel to resume soon, although he added that there was a lack of trust between them.

The talks also addressed efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey, and to prevent their regional rivalry from impacting Syrian territory. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani indicated that security negotiations with Israel were expected to resume soon, though he noted a persistent lack of trust between the two nations. These discussions had been suspended since the start of the Iran war and were further complicated by recent Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase.

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The two sides had agreed on paper to “almost everything” around the beginning of the year, including arrangements for security zones in southern Syria and a buffer zone where only United Nations forces would be present, but Damascus doubted Israel's willingness to implement the agreement.

Washington has been actively seeking to broker a security agreement between Israel and the Syrian government for over a year. While Syria's minister suggested that both sides had reached a general agreement on paper earlier in the year, including security zones in southern Syria and a UN-controlled buffer zone, Damascus harbored doubts about Israel's commitment to implementation. The Israeli prime minister's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Syria indicated that its immediate priorities remained an Israeli withdrawal to positions held before Bashar al-Assad's overthrow on Dec 8, 2024, and the full restoration of a 1974 disengagement agreement.

During Sunday's meeting, Syria outlined its immediate priorities, which included an Israeli withdrawal to pre-December 8, 2024 positions and the full reinstatement of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Syria also asserted its right to rebuild its armed forces and determine its alliances without restriction. While Syria reiterated that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory, it deemed discussions on the region's final status premature. Israel has conducted numerous strikes on Syrian military sites since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, citing security concerns, while Syria denies posing a threat and demands an end to Israeli incursions.

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Damascus also told the Israeli delegation it would not accept arrangements restricting its right to rebuild and develop its armed forces or determine its alliances and partnerships.