Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Israel, Syria Hold Talks After Air Base Bombing
Officials from Israel and Syria reportedly met to stop tensions from getting worse.
Their meeting happened after Israel attacked an airbase in northern Syria.
Israel said it feared Turkey might put drones and radar equipment at the base.
Syria said it did not plan to let Turkey create a base or keep troops there permanently.
Israel did not believe Syria’s explanation and called the attack a warning.
The bombing raised concerns that Turkey could become involved in the conflict.
United States officials encouraged all three countries to talk again.
The meeting was intended to make the situation calmer.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Mossad chief Roman Gofman reportedly met on Sunday.
The talks aimed to reduce tensions following an Israeli strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase.
Israel said it bombed the base to prevent a planned Turkish military buildup there.
Syria denied plans for a Turkish base, permanent presence, or Turkish troop deployment at the site.
The meeting followed calls from senior United States officials for Israel, Syria, and Turkey to resume dialogue.
- Who
- Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Mossad director Roman Gofman reportedly held the talks, with United States officials also urging dialogue.
- What
- Israel and Syria held reported discussions to ease tensions after an Israeli airstrike on a Syrian airbase.
- When
- The meeting reportedly took place on Sunday, days after the airbase strike on Thursday.
- Where
- The talks’ location was not specified; the strike targeted Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria.
- Why
- The talks aimed to reduce tensions over Israel’s concerns about a possible Turkish military buildup at the airbase.
Israel’s Security Concerns
Syria’s Denial
Possible Turkish military presence
Israel’s Security Concerns
Israel said it had intelligence that Turkey planned to deploy drones and a radar system at Abu al-Duhur and described the strike as a warning shot.
Syria’s Denial
Syria said there was no intention to establish a Turkish base, maintain a permanent Turkish military presence, or deploy Turkish forces at the site.
Purpose of the talks
Israel’s Security Concerns
Israel sought to address what it viewed as a potential Turkish military buildup in Syria.
Syria’s Denial
Syria participated in discussions aimed at lowering tensions after the Israeli bombing and rejected the premise that it was enabling a Turkish deployment.
- Reported meeting
- Asaad al-Shaibani and Roman Gofman reportedly met on Sunday.
- Target of strike
- Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria.
- Reported attack
- Israel dropped at least eight bombs on the base’s runways and hangars.
- Israeli justification
- Israel said it sought to prevent Turkey from deploying drones and a radar system at the base.
- Syrian position
- Syria denied intending to permit a Turkish base, permanent Turkish military presence, or Turkish forces at the site.
- United States role
- United States officials, including Ambassador Tom Barrack, urged Israel, Turkey, and Syria to resume dialogue.
- Source discrepancy
- The report identifies Asaad al-Shaibani as Syria’s foreign minister but later refers to him as Israel’s foreign minister.