{ "id": 2892571, "title": "Syria, Israel hold US-mediated talks to ease tensions: Report", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-israel-hold-us-mediated-talks-to-ease-tensions-report", "topic": "world", "section": "World", "published": "2026-08-23T23:05:00.000Z", "source": { "name": "Channel News Asia", "slug": "channel-news-asia", "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/syria-israel-us-talks-tensions-6336596" }, "original_language": "en", "account": "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.\n\nSyria'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.\n\nSince 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.", "summary": "Syria and Israel held high-level talks in Jordan, mediated by the US, aimed at easing tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. According to Syria's state news agency SANA, the talks focused on practical mechanisms to halt Israeli strikes, arrests, and targeted operations, and on reviving negotiations towards a security agreement.\n\nThe discussions also addressed efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey, an ally of Damascus, and to prevent their rivalry from spilling onto Syrian territory. The Syrian delegation, headed by the foreign minister and including the general and military intelligence chiefs, met with a high-level Israeli delegation.\n\nTensions spiked after Israeli airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria, with Israel claiming the strike was a preemptive move to stop Syria from allowing Turkish forces and air-defense systems to deploy at the base. Both Damascus and Ankara denied that the base was being converted into a Turkish military installation. According to Haaretz, Syria insisted on its right to develop its military and maintain foreign alliances, while seeking an end to Israeli strikes and a withdrawal to lines held before December 2024.", "key_points": [], "editors_take": null, "illustration": null, "coverage": { "outlets": 10, "also_reported_by": [ { "outlet": "Middle East Eye", "title": "Syria confirms US-mediated talks with Israel in Jordan to ease tensions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-confirms-us-mediated-talks-with-israel-in-jordan-to-ease", "published": "2026-08-23T21:46:21.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Haaretz", "title": "Syria tells Israel it won't limit military buildup in security deal talks", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-tells-israel-it-wont-limit-military-buildup-in-security-deal", "published": "2026-08-23T21:52:13.000Z" }, { "outlet": "New Straits Times", "title": "Syria says Israel talks addressed keeping country out of Israel-Turkiye tensions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-says-israel-talks-addressed-keeping-country-out-of-israel-2883902", "published": "2026-08-23T22:19:06.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Gulf News", "title": "Syria says Israel talks addressed keeping country out of Israel-Turkey tensions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-says-israel-talks-addressed-keeping-country-out-of-israel", "published": "2026-08-23T22:27:32.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News", "title": "Syria says Israel talks addressed de-escalation, staying out of Israel-Turkey tensions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-says-israel-talks-addressed-de-escalation-staying-out-of-israel", "published": "2026-08-23T22:34:49.000Z" }, { "outlet": "South China Morning Post", "title": "Syria holds talks with Israel addressing de-escalation and Israel-Turkey tensions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-holds-talks-with-israel-addressing-de-escalation-and-israel", "published": "2026-08-23T23:04:18.000Z" }, { "outlet": "Al-Monitor", "title": "Syria says Israel talks addressed de-escalation, staying out of Israel-Turkey tensions", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/syria-says-israel-talks-addressed-de-escalation-staying-out-of-israel-2896323", "published": "2026-08-23T23:30:20.000Z" }, { "outlet": "The Chronicle Ghana", "title": "Syria’s foreign minister says door open for diplomacy with Israel", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/syrias-foreign-minister-says-door-open-for-diplomacy-with-israel", "published": "2026-08-24T00:24:55.000Z" }, { "outlet": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun", "title": "Syria, Israel Hold US-Mediated Talks to Ease Tensions, Syria News Agency Says", "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/syria-israel-hold-us-mediated-talks-to-ease-tensions-syria-news", "published": "2026-08-24T03:24:49.000Z" } ] }, "ai_generated": true, "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original." }