Syria Confirms US-Mediated Talks with Israel in Jordan

Syria confirmed on Sunday that a delegation led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held talks with Israeli officials in Jordan. The discussions, mediated by the United States, aimed to establish mechanisms to halt Israeli military strikes in southern Syria and reduce recent tensions. The Syrian state news agency, SANA, citing a diplomatic source, stated that Damascus is seeking a return to the lines held before December 8, 2024, and the full implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Israeli reports indicated that Mossad chief Roman Gofman led the Israeli delegation. The meeting followed an Israeli airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur military base in Idlib. Israel had claimed the operation was necessary because Syria appeared to be allowing a Turkish military presence at the facility, which Jerusalem viewed as a security threat. However, Al-Shaibani disputed this in comments to Axios, stating that the work at the site was limited to rehabilitating infrastructure damaged during the war and that there was no intention to establish a permanent Turkish military presence.