Syrian and Israeli high-level delegations are holding direct talks in Jordan under United States mediation to de-escalate regional tensions following recent Israeli military strikes on Syrian territory, according to the Syrian state news agency Sana.
The diplomatic meetings in Amman involve Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Schaibani and intelligence chiefs alongside an Israeli delegation that reportedly includes Mossad chief Roman Gofman, according to reporting by the Israeli sender N12 and the news portal Axios cited by ZDFheute. Officials from both sides are focusing on ways to halt ongoing Israeli military operations and arrests in southern Syria.
Core Demands and Territorial Stances in Amman
During the negotiations in Jordan, the Syrian delegation reiterated its firm position that the Golan Heights remain occupied Syrian territory, according to a statement from the Syrian Foreign Ministry cited by Sana and the Austria Press Agency (APA). Damaskus maintained that discussing the final status of the region is currently premature.
Instead, the Syrian government has established immediate priorities for the diplomatic channel. According to the ministry’s diplomatic circles cited by APA and Reuters, Syria demands an immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops back to the positions they held prior to December 8, 2024, alongside the full implementation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
Expanding Military Operations and Regional Friction
The talks follow an intensification of military activity in southern Syria. Following the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the Israeli military expanded operations into the region and moved troops into the United Nations-controlled demilitarized buffer zone separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.
Israel has defended its airstrikes and incursions as necessary measures to destroy weapon caches and prevent attacks by hostile extremists. However, recent operations have strained relations beyond Syria’s borders. According to ZDFheute, an Israeli strike last Tuesday on a military airfield in northwestern Syria drew sharp condemnation from both Damascus and Ankara, as Turkish authorities rejected Israeli claims that Syrian forces permitted Turkish troop deployment near Aleppo. US special envoy for Syria and US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack subsequently criticized the airfield strike as an unnecessary escalation while affirming US readiness to mediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is mediating the talks between Syria and Israel? According to the Syrian state news agency Sana, the high-level discussions in Jordan are being mediated by the United States.
What are Syria’s main demands in the negotiations? As reported by APA and Reuters, Syria’s top priorities are the withdrawal of Israeli troops to the lines held before December 8, 2024, and the full enforcement of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.
What is the current status of the Golan Heights in the negotiations? The Syrian Foreign Ministry maintains that the Golan Heights are occupied Syrian territory and stated that discussing their final status at this stage is premature, according to Sana.
Who is representing Israel at the meetings? According to reporting by Axios and the Israeli channel N12 cited by ZDFheute, the Israeli delegation includes Mossad chief Roman Gofman.
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