Syria meets Israeli spy chief to 'defuse tensions' after bombing

Syria engaged in discreet discussions with an Israeli intelligence chief to ease tensions following an airbase attack, which risked igniting a new conflict in the region, reported Axios on Sunday. Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani indicated that negotiations for a security pact involving Israel's troop withdrawal from Syrian territory are anticipated to recommence soon.

However, the peace prospects were clouded last week when Israel carried out a bombing of a military airfield in northern Syria, alleging Turkish forces were present. Israel also holds territory in southern Syria and frequently engages in attacks.

According to Axios, Mr. Al Shibani met Mossad director Roman Gofman in an effort to "lower the temperature" following the airbase assault. Israeli and Syrian authorities have not confirmed the meeting. Mr. Al Shibani stated in an interview with Reuters that a "historic opportunity" for an agreement between Israel and Syria remains open.

He expressed the hope for contact, particularly with a party that constantly threatens Syria's security. Yet, he cautioned that such contact would be useless if it fails to yield results. The former Syrian regime, under Bashar Al Assad, had been a close ally of Iran and Hezbollah, but the current administration under President Ahmad Al Shara is amenable to dialogue with Israel, despite condemning many of its actions.

The United States has been advocating for a security deal, which has so far failed to materialize. While Syria is not expected to fully recognize Israel, it could make concessions to Israeli demands for a buffer zone. American envoy Tom Barrack had criticized the Israeli strike last week, deeming it an unnecessary escalation. Barrack suggested in a podcast interview with Mario Nawfal that Israel might have been "baiting the Turks."

Despite Israel's openness to talks with Syria, the airbase bombing has exacerbated tensions with Turkey. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously labeled Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an "anti-Semitic dictator" intent on extending aggression against Israel.