Syria and Israel are holding discreet talks in Paris in a bid to reduce rising tensions in southern Syria. According to diplomatic sources in Europe, representatives from both sides met earlier this week to explore possible de-escalation measures.
The meeting comes at a time of growing instability across the southern provinces, where clashes involving Druze and tribal forces have raised fears of renewed violence near the disengagement line. France is believed to have facilitated the talks, although neither Damascus nor Tel Aviv has offered any public confirmation. The discussions reportedly focused on practical ways of preventing further military confrontations and maintaining existing security arrangements in the Golan Heights area, which has remained a longstanding flashpoint since Israel captured the territory during the 1967 war.
Analysts caution that the issues at stake are deeply entrenched and unlikely to be resolved quickly, but the fact that direct contacts have taken place is viewed by some observers as a notable shift in regional dynamics. It comes as Washington and other international actors continue to emphasise the need for stability in Syria amid the wider Middle East crisis and the ongoing reshuffling of alliances following the fall of the Assad government.
Wildfires across England and Wales have reached their highest level on record, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council, as firefighters struggle to contain outbreaks following a spell of extreme heat.
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
At least 47 people have been killed after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia early on Saturday, triggering small tsunami waves and dozens of aftershocks, officials say.
On 12 August, AnewZ’s Daybreak focused on the aftermath of Colombia’s devastating earthquake, tensions surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, growing Russia-North Korea military cooperation and security and environmental challenges across the Caspian and Black Sea regions.
On 11 August, AnewZ’s Daybreak examined U.S. President Donald Trump’s new demands for Iran, Russia-Iran cooperation and regional connectivity through the South Caucasus alongside key political, security and climate developments worldwide.
On 10 August, AnewZ’s Daybreak focused on developments in Gaza, Lebanon-Israel negotiations, Iran’s position on talks with Washington and the latest global security and climate-related challenges.
The 8 August commemorative edition of AnewZ's Context looked back on the year since the Washington breakthrough, examining how the initialling of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace agreement and the launch of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity have reshaped regional politics.
Download the AnewZ app
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment