Israeli and Syrian officials hold rare meeting in Baku

Israeli and Syrian officials reportedly met face to face in Baku, signalling a rare step in potential regional coordination despite decades of hostilities.

A diplomatic source in Damascus told AFP that an Israeli and a Syrian official held a discreet meeting on the sidelines of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Azerbaijan. The source, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the meeting focused on Israel’s recent military presence in Syria.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa did not take part in the talks, which come at a time of shifting regional dynamics and renewed international diplomacy.

Israel’s Kan public broadcaster also confirmed the meeting took place and noted that both Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani are scheduled to attend a European Union conference in Brussels on Monday. However, no bilateral meeting has been planned at that event.

While neither government has made a public statement, the Baku encounter may mark a cautious step toward exploring limited coordination or easing tensions in Syria, where both sides maintain an active presence.

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