Syrian-Israeli talks have taken place in the United Arab Emirates.
Syrian-Israeli talks have taken place in the United Arab Emirates, according to a report published Friday, May 9, by the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth.
The newspaper revealed that officials from Syria’s Transitional Government held three rounds of discussions with Israeli counterparts in Abu Dhabi. The meetings were reportedly hosted at the residence of a senior figure within the Abu Dhabi government and were sponsored by UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to the report, the Syrian delegation consisted of three individuals closely affiliated with the head of the transitional government, Ahmed al-Sharaa. On the Israeli side, the delegation included two academics with backgrounds in security and intelligence.
The meetings were described as exploratory and non-binding, with both delegations tasked with reporting back to their respective leaderships. During the discussions, Syrian officials voiced dissatisfaction with the Israeli military’s movements within Syrian territory, particularly highlighting Israel’s control over nine strategic hills in the southwest of the country.
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The Syrian representatives also requested that Ahmed al-Sharaa be given the chance to establish a new internal political system in Syria. As part of this proposed reconfiguration, they called for the removal of Iranian forces and affiliated militias from Syrian soil and measures to prevent their future return.
Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Israeli delegation provided assurances that Tel Aviv would not tolerate any harm to the Druze community inside Syria. The newspaper also noted additional meetings between Israeli experts and advisors to al-Sharaa and the Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani. These meetings reportedly took place on the sidelines of conferences held in Europe.
Separately, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported last Wednesday that members of Syria’s Transitional Government also held secret direct talks inside Israel. According to Haaretz, officials from the Syrian Ministry of Defence visited Israel and met with Israeli military personnel, with discussions continuing over several days.
The timing of the talks coincided with a visit to Israel by a religious delegation representing the Druze community in Syria. The Syrian delegation to Israel, which reportedly arrived in April, included local officials from the Quneitra Governorate.
Haaretz did not disclose any further details regarding the specific issues discussed during the closed-door meetings between Syrian and Israeli officials.
