Syria and Israel Hold US-Mediated Talks in Jordan After Airbase Attack

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Israeli intelligence officials in Jordan on Sunday for US-mediated negotiations aimed at halting regional violence. The talks follow an Israeli military strike on Syria's Abu Duhur airbase in northwestern Idlib. According to Syrian state media outlet Sana, the US-brokered dialogue involved a high-level Israeli delegation, including Mossad head Roman Gofman.

Discussions focused on establishing operational mechanisms to prevent future Israeli strikes, arrests, and targeting operations across Syria. The diplomatic push seeks to revive talks for a permanent bilateral security agreement and ease friction between Israel and Turkiye. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have traded sharp rhetoric following Israel's strike on the airbase last Thursday.

During Sunday's negotiations, Damascus reiterated its right to re-establish its national army, determine sovereign alliances, and retain control over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Syrian representatives demanded an Israeli pullback to positions held prior to Bashar al-Assad's overthrow and the enforcement of the 1974 disengagement agreement.

Israeli media characterized the meeting as positive while noting Tel Aviv set specific operational red lines. Israel demands a demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights, protection for Syria's Druze community, restrictions on strategic army weaponry, and a complete bar on Turkish military expansion inside Syria. Analysts note Syria aims to prevent its territory from becoming an active battleground between Israeli and Turkish forces as Washington continues its year-long effort to secure a broader regional peace framework.