High-Level Talks Held to Reduce Tensions Between Israel and Syria

Syria’s Foreign Minister, Assad Al-Sheibani, informed on August 24 in Kathmandu that senior officials from Israel and Syria met on Sunday to address rising tensions between the two countries. The meeting between Syria’s Foreign Minister Assad Al-Sheibani and Roman Gofman, Director of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, involved extensive discussions on the recent Israeli airstrikes and issues concerning regional security.

Last Tuesday, the Israeli Air Force struck the Abu Al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria with at least eight bombs. Located about 45 miles from the Turkish border, Israel reported that Turkey has been attempting to expand military infrastructure at the base, including drones and radar systems. Israel had warned that it would take action if Turkey increased its military presence there. However, Syria has committed to preventing Turkey from establishing a permanent military base on its soil.

Foreign Minister Al-Sheibani acknowledged that Turkish military officials visited the airbase prior to the attack but described it as part of routine training and experience-sharing activities. During talks involving Israel, Syria, and the United States, Syria reaffirmed its firm commitment to not allowing Turkey to build a military base there. Subsequently, Israel carried out the airstrike on the airbase. U.S. envoy Tom Barrett and other senior officials have urged Israel, Turkey, and Syria to return to negotiations. Al-Sheibani emphasized that the responsibility for reducing tensions rests with all parties, warning that ongoing Israeli military operations in Syria will not bring security but instead lead to further instability.