Syria confirms US-mediated talks with Israel in Jordan to ease tensions

The Syrian state news agency, SANA, has announced that Syria and Israel conducted high-level, US-mediated talks in Jordan on Sunday, with the aim of easing tensions. These discussions came in the wake of recent Israeli strikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase, according to a diplomatic source at the foreign ministry. The talks also sought to prevent Syria from becoming entangled in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey, as reported by AFP.

This marked the first negotiations between the two nations in several months. The Syrian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, met with an Israeli delegation that included Mossad chief Roman Gofman.

During the talks, both sides discussed a variety of issues. The Syrian delegation proposed the establishment of a "special operations room" in Jordan, under US supervision, to prevent any potential confrontations in Syria, including those involving Turkey. The Syrian delegation also reiterated its position that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian territory, asserting that discussions regarding their final status are premature.

In terms of their immediate priorities, Syria expressed its key demand: the withdrawal of Israeli troops to their positions prior to December 8, 2024, in line with the 1974 disengagement agreement.