Syrian and Israeli Officials Meet in Baku: Diplomatic Source
The meeting marks a significant step towards diplomacy between the two long-standing foes.
A Syrian and an Israeli official met face to face in Baku on Saturday, during President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's visit to Azerbaijan.
According to a diplomatic source in Damascus, this encounter represents a major milestone for the two countries, which have been adversaries for decades.
The meeting occurred after Israel initially dismissed Al-Sharaa's administration due to his past ties with Al-Qaeda.
A meeting took place between a Syrian official and an Israeli official on the sidelines of Al-Sharaa's visit to Baku, as per the source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Although President Al-Sharaa himself did not attend the meeting, it focused on Israel's recent military presence in Syria.
Israel has been a significant supplier of arms to Azerbaijan and maintains a substantial diplomatic presence in the country.
This proximity is notable, given that Azerbaijan neighbors Iran, which is an arch foe of Israel.
Since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes within Syria to prevent key military assets from falling into the hands of the Islamist-led interim administration led by Al-Sharaa.
Additionally, Israeli forces have entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone that once separated opposing forces in the strategic Golan Heights and have made incursions further into southern Syria.
Al-Sharaa has consistently stated that Syria does not seek conflict with its neighbors and has urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease its attacks.
The Syrian government recently confirmed it had engaged in indirect talks with Israel aimed at restoring the 1974 disengagement agreement, which created the buffer zone.
Late last month, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed interest in a peace and normalization agreement with Syria.
In response, a Syria government source told state media that such discussions were premature.
However, during a visit to Lebanon this week, US special envoy Tom Barrack stated that dialogue between Syria and Israel had commenced.
Following his meeting with Al-Sharaa in Riyadh in May, US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Syria would join other Arab states in normalizing relations with Israel, to which Al-Sharaa reportedly agreed.
During his Baku visit, Al-Sharaa held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Additionally, Azerbaijan announced plans to export gas to Syria via Turkey, a key ally of both governments.
According to a diplomatic source in Damascus, this encounter represents a major milestone for the two countries, which have been adversaries for decades.
The meeting occurred after Israel initially dismissed Al-Sharaa's administration due to his past ties with Al-Qaeda.
A meeting took place between a Syrian official and an Israeli official on the sidelines of Al-Sharaa's visit to Baku, as per the source who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Although President Al-Sharaa himself did not attend the meeting, it focused on Israel's recent military presence in Syria.
Israel has been a significant supplier of arms to Azerbaijan and maintains a substantial diplomatic presence in the country.
This proximity is notable, given that Azerbaijan neighbors Iran, which is an arch foe of Israel.
Since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar Assad in December, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes within Syria to prevent key military assets from falling into the hands of the Islamist-led interim administration led by Al-Sharaa.
Additionally, Israeli forces have entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone that once separated opposing forces in the strategic Golan Heights and have made incursions further into southern Syria.
Al-Sharaa has consistently stated that Syria does not seek conflict with its neighbors and has urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease its attacks.
The Syrian government recently confirmed it had engaged in indirect talks with Israel aimed at restoring the 1974 disengagement agreement, which created the buffer zone.
Late last month, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed interest in a peace and normalization agreement with Syria.
In response, a Syria government source told state media that such discussions were premature.
However, during a visit to Lebanon this week, US special envoy Tom Barrack stated that dialogue between Syria and Israel had commenced.
Following his meeting with Al-Sharaa in Riyadh in May, US President Donald Trump expressed hope that Syria would join other Arab states in normalizing relations with Israel, to which Al-Sharaa reportedly agreed.
During his Baku visit, Al-Sharaa held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Additionally, Azerbaijan announced plans to export gas to Syria via Turkey, a key ally of both governments.
