Syrian, Israeli officials hold US-brokered talks in Jordan to ease tensions

DAMASCUS, Aug. 24 (YPA) – A diplomatic source at the Foreign Ministry of the Jolani regime said that a high-level Syrian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and including the heads of the General Intelligence and Military Intelligence services, met on Sunday with a senior Israeli delegation.

According to the Syrian official news agency SANA, the meeting followed recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory and focused on establishing mechanisms to halt Israeli attacks, arrests, and targeted operations.

The talks explored practical steps to de-escalate tensions and resume negotiations. Syria stressed that any security arrangements must respect its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and sovereign rights, while rejecting measures that would restrict its national interests, alliances, or right to rebuild its army, the source said.

Syria also reiterated that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory and called for an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-December 8, 2024 lines and full implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

The discussions also addressed maintaining regional security and preventing tensions between Turkey and Israel from spilling over into Syrian territory.

The talks, mediated by the United States and hosted by Jordan, were part of efforts to ease tensions and promote stability in Syria and the wider region.

The talks sparked widespread backlash over an approach criticized for abandoning the restoration of national sovereignty, failing to meet force with force, and doing little to deter Israel’s ongoing aggression against Syria.

@E.Y.M