Surprise contact in Azerbaijan: Alleged Israel-Syria talks under Turkish supervision

According to a report by US-based CNN, citing Israel's Channel 12, direct contacts have been established between Israel and the new Syrian administration. The meetings were reported to have taken place in Azerbaijan under the supervision of Turkish officials.

The purpose of the contacts is to include the Damascus administration in the Abraham Accords in exchange for Israel halting its airstrikes on Syria. According to the allegations, the meetings represent the first direct contact between Israel and Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed the role of interim leader following the regime change in Syria.

ISRAELI ARMY COMMANDER ALSO ATTENDED THE MEETING

It was learned that Major General Oded Basyuk, Head of the Operations Directorate of the Israeli military, also attended the meetings held in Azerbaijan. According to CNN, Basyuk met directly with Syrian officials in the presence of Turkish mediators.

The Israel Defense Forces neither confirmed nor denied the allegations regarding the meetings. However, the military spokesperson's office stated, "The Israeli military has no direct contact with representatives of the Syrian government."

SHARAA INDIRECTLY CONFIRMED THE CONTACT

Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa had announced in a statement last week that indirect contacts had been established with Israel. Sharaa had stated, "We want these attacks to end so that neither side reaches a point where they lose control."

However, the Damascus administration has not yet officially confirmed that direct meetings have taken place. Turkey has not made any statement regarding the allegations. It remains unclear who participated in the meetings and at what level the mediation took place.

TRUMP MET WITH SHARAA AND PLEDGED SUPPORT

In another notable development that took place in Saudi Arabia during the same week, US President Donald Trump held a face-to-face meeting with interim leader Sharaa.

It was reported that Trump promised Sharaa, who was placed on a terror list in 2013 but was appointed interim president following the overthrow of the Assad regime, that "sanctions from the Assad era would be lifted."

Responding to journalists' questions on the subject, Trump said, "I did not consult with Israel while recognizing Syria or lifting sanctions. But I think I am doing the right thing."

SECURITY CONDITIONS ON THE TABLE

The US administration has conveyed demands to Sharaa to rapidly take steps toward normalization with Israel, to remove foreign militias and Palestinian groups from Syria, and to cooperate with Washington against the resurgence of ISIS.

ISRAEL PLANS TO REMAIN PERMANENTLY IN SOUTHERN SYRIA

In the shadow of these diplomatic contacts, the Israeli military has made new moves on Syrian territory. The Tel Aviv administration, which has established a "buffer zone" in southern Syria, also maintains its military and political control over the Golan Heights.