Syria, Israel Hold U.S.-Mediated Talks to Ease Tensions

Syria and Israel held high-level, U.S.-mediated talks in Jordan on Sunday aimed at de-escalating tensions following recent Israeli strikes on Syrian territory and preventing their bilateral conflict from being affected by rising friction between Israel and Turkey. The negotiations, hosted by Jordan, brought together senior delegations from both countries, including Syria's foreign minister and intelligence chiefs, according to Syria's state news agency SANA.

The meeting focused on practical mechanisms to halt Israeli strikes, arrests, and targeted operations within Syria, and on reviving negotiations toward a broader security agreement. Discussions also addressed efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey and to ensure their rivalry does not spill onto Syrian territory. The talks followed a January agreement to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism as both sides edge toward a formal security pact.

The negotiations occurred after Israel bombed the disused Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria on August 18, 2026. Israel stated the strike was a preemptive move to prevent Turkish forces and air-defense systems from deploying at the facility, which it viewed as a...