Mossad chief Roman Gofman and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani held a meeting on Sunday to defuse tensions between their countries after Israel’s strike last week on a Syrian airbase, according to multiple reports.
The two met in Jordan, two sources told AFP, adding that they discussed issues such as establishing “a special operations room” in Jordan under US supervision to prevent any confrontation in Syria, including involving Turkey.
Citing three sources with knowledge of the matter, the Axios news site reported that the meeting was aimed at “lowering the temperature,” following the escalating rhetoric between the two sides.
Israel’s Channel 12 news reported that the sitdown was positive in nature and was considered a step toward restarting direct Jerusalem-Damascus negotiations. The network said the meeting was supposed to take place last week, but was pushed off because of the Israeli strike.
The Trump administration strongly pushed for the meeting, seeking a de-escalation between Israel, Syria and Turkey ahead of the upcoming Israeli election, Channel 12 said.
