Syria tells Israel it won't limit military buildup in security deal talks

Syria and Israel engaged in high-level, US-mediated talks in Jordan on Sunday (Aug 23) to ease tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, according to Syria's state news agency SANA. The discussions centered on practical measures to stop Israeli strikes, arrests, and targeted operations, as well as reinvigorating negotiations for a security agreement that could pave the way for a more extensive future accord.

The talks also addressed tensions between Israel and Türkiye, with both sides attempting to prevent their rivalry from spilling over into Syrian territory.

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed hope that security negotiations with Israel would resume soon, despite acknowledging a lack of trust between the two nations. The two nations had suspended talks since the onset of the Iran war, and Syria had ceased all contact with Israel following Israeli strikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase last week.

Since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Dec 8, 2024, Israel has carried out repeated strikes on Syrian military sites, citing the need to protect its security. Syria, in turn, denies posing a threat to Israel and demands an end to Israeli strikes and incursions. The two nations have technically been at war since 1948, with Israel capturing the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexing it, a move recognized by the United States but not by most of the international community.