UAE Mediates Secret Israel-Syria Security Talks

The United Arab Emirates has facilitated backchannel discussions between Israel and Syria, focusing on intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism coordination, Reuters reported.

The talks began after Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa’s April 13 meeting with UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi.

While Sharaa publicly acknowledged “indirect negotiations via mediators” during a Paris press conference, UAE officials denied involvement, calling reports of mediation “categorically false.” The discussions reportedly involve former Israeli intelligence figures and Syrian security officials, but exclude military matters like recent Israeli airstrikes near Damascus.

The development comes amid heightened tensions, including Israeli strikes targeting what it calls threats to Syria’s Druze minority and sectarian clashes in Suweida. Damascus seeks UAE mediation due to Abu Dhabi’s diplomatic ties with Israel, established in 2020.

Syria’s new government has taken steps to ease concerns, detaining Palestinian militants and assuring Washington it won’t threaten Israel. However, regional skepticism persists regarding Syria’s Islamist-leaning leadership.