Beirut, Lebanon – Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Saturday that an undisclosed meeting took place between Syrian and Israeli officials in Baku, Azerbaijan, coinciding with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s visit to the country. According to Haaretz, the meeting is part of a series of planned high-level security talks between the two sides.
The report says the talks covered Hezbollah, the Iranian threat, and Palestinian factions operating in Syria. Haaretz also suggested that discussions may have touched on the possibility of opening an Israeli coordination office in Damascus; but without granting Israel formal diplomatic representation.
Earlier, AFP confirmed that President Al-Sharaa would not personally attend the Baku meeting but noted that the agenda would include Israel’s military presence inside Syrian territory, which expanded after the fall of the former regime.
Read also: Al-Sharaa in Azerbaijan: Meeting Aliyev, Discussing Energy Ties
On Friday, US Special Envoy to Syria and Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack told Arab News that the US vision includes a gradual normalization process between Syria and Israel in line with the spirit of the Abraham Accords.
Barak added that President Al-Sharaa had clearly stated that Israel is “not an enemy,” describing ongoing talks as “baby steps.” He also stressed that regional players including Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey will have roles in any broader normalization framework.
Barrack reiterated that former US President Donald Trump’s decision in May to lift sanctions on Syria aimed to give the Syrian people “hope” after years of conflict, adding, “President (Trump)’s message is peace and prosperity.”
