Israel’s Syria strike may have jolted diplomacy back to life - analysis

An Israeli strike on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase last week, rather than ending diplomacy, may have accelerated it. Five days later, Mossad chief Roman Gofman and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met in Jordan for US-mediated talks. The discussions focused on reviving security negotiations and preventing Israel-Turkey tensions from spilling into Syria, including a possible coordination room under US supervision. The sides remain far apart on key issues, but the strike may have jolted diplomacy back to life.

An Israeli strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria last week did not end Israeli-Syrian diplomacy, as some feared, but may have accelerated it. The attack, which risked a direct clash with Turkey after a Turkish delegation reportedly visited the site, concentrated minds. Five days later, on Sunday, Mossad chief Roman Gofman and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met in Jordan for US-mediated talks. The discussions dealt with reviving Israeli-Syrian security negotiations and preventing mounting Israel-Turkey tensions from spilling into Syrian territory. A special coordination room in Jordan under US supervision was reportedly discussed, providing a channel for Israel, Syria, and possibly Turkey to communicate. The strike placed Turkey's growing military involvement in Syria at the international forefront. Israel views a Turkish military presence as a potential threat. The sides remain far apart: Damascus wants Israel to withdraw to pre-December 2024 positions and restore the 1974 disengagement framework, while Israel wants southern Syria demilitarized, restrictions on Syrian weaponry, guarantees for the Druze, and an end to Turkish military activity. The Jordan talks will determine whether the message delivered by the strike can produce a workable arrangement.