Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Syria, Israel Hold US-Mediated Talks in Jordan to Ease Tensions
Syrian and Israeli officials met in Jordan to try to reduce tensions.
The United States helped mediate the meeting.
The talks happened after Israeli attacks in Syria and growing unrest in southern Syria.
Syria wants practical steps to stop attacks, arrests and targeting operations.
Syria also wants Israeli forces to return to earlier positions.
Damascus said any agreement must respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial rights.
Syria considers the Golan Heights to be Syrian territory, but said discussing its final status is too early.
Israel said a recent attack was linked to an alleged plan for Turkish forces to use a Syrian airport, while Syria and Türkiye rejected that claim.
Senior Syrian and Israeli delegations met in Jordan under United States mediation to discuss de-escalation.
Talks followed Israeli strikes on Syrian territory and rising tensions in southern Syria.
Syria sought mechanisms to halt Israeli attacks, arrests and targeting operations.
Damascus called for Israeli forces to return to positions held before December 8, 2024, and for implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Israel said its latest strike targeted a Syrian airport over alleged plans for Turkish forces to deploy there; Syria and Türkiye denied the claim.
- Who
- Senior Syrian and Israeli delegations, including Syria’s foreign affairs chief Asaad al-Shaibani and intelligence chiefs, met under United States mediation.
- What
- They discussed reducing tensions, stopping Israeli operations in Syria and reviving negotiations toward a security agreement.
- When
- The meeting took place on Sunday; the articles also refer to an Israeli strike on Tuesday and positions held before December 8, 2024.
- Where
- The talks were held in Jordan.
- Why
- The meeting aimed to reduce tensions after Israeli strikes and escalating unrest in southern Syria, while supporting Syrian and regional stability.
Syria’s stated position
Israel’s stated position
Israeli military operations
Syria’s stated position
Syria called for practical mechanisms to halt Israeli attacks, arrests and targeting operations in Syria.
Israel’s stated position
Israel said its strike on Abu al-Duhur military airport was prompted by alleged preparations for Turkish forces to deploy there.
Sovereignty and security arrangements
Syria’s stated position
Damascus said Syria must retain the right to rebuild and develop its national army and choose its alliances, and would reject arrangements restricting those rights.
Israel’s stated position
The articles do not provide a detailed Israeli position on the limits of proposed security arrangements.
Golan Heights and territorial withdrawals
Syria’s stated position
Syria said the Golan Heights is Syrian territory and demanded Israeli forces return to positions held before December 8, 2024, alongside full implementation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Israel’s stated position
The articles do not state Israel’s position on the Golan Heights or Syria’s withdrawal demands.
- Mediator
- United States
- Host country
- Jordan
- Syrian delegation
- Led by Foreign Affairs Chief Asaad al-Shaibani and including the heads of the general and military intelligence services
- Main objective
- De-escalation and a possible return to negotiations on a security agreement
- Syrian priorities
- Halting Israeli attacks, arrests and targeting operations; restoring the 1974 Disengagement Agreement
- Territorial position
- Syria said the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is Syrian territory
- Recent strike
- Israel struck Abu al-Duhur military airport in northwestern Syria on Tuesday
- Competing claims
- Israel cited alleged plans for Turkish forces to deploy at the airport; Syria and Türkiye denied the allegation