The Syrian government and Turkish officials have denied reports that representatives from Damascus held secret, direct talks with Hezbollah in Turkey last month. While a Reuters report cited six sources claiming the meetings aimed to de-escalate regional tensions, Syrian and Turkish authorities officially dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Conflicting Accounts of Secret September Meetings
The controversy stems from a report published by Reuters, which claimed that Syrian and Hezbollah representatives met in Turkey during September to discuss security concerns. According to the report, the alleged meetings were facilitated by Turkish intelligence in an attempt to manage growing friction between the two sides following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024.
Six sources—including two Syrian officials, a U.S. official, and a Lebanese security source—told the news agency that the discussions focused on border smuggling and the presence of Hezbollah cells in Syria. The sources described the atmosphere as positive and noted that the Syrian government provided assurances that it would not intervene militarily in Lebanon to disarm the group, while simultaneously requesting that Hezbollah dismantle its remaining cells in southern Syria. However, the report acknowledged that no final agreement was reached and that the parties had no plans to issue a formal declaration.
A diplomatic source disclosed to Al Kalima Online that the meetings were strictly security-focused and conducted under the coordination of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), led by Ibrahim Kalin. According to this account, the sessions spanned four days, from Friday to Monday, with discussions covering border security, arms smuggling, and the regional Israeli threat. The source further suggested that these communication channels were intended to remain open via Turkey, though they noted the process lacked official U.S. backing.
Official Denials from Damascus and Ankara
The reaction from regional capitals was swift and categorical. The Syrian government, through its foreign ministry and state-aligned media channels, explicitly rejected the claims. The “Syrian Response” page, managed by the government, posted on X that these allegations are false. No such meeting was held.
Additionally, the Syrian Ministry of Information’s external media directorate confirmed that the reports were inaccurate.
Turkey’s involvement was also roundly rejected. Similarly, Syria’s foreign ministry emphasized that its communication with Lebanon is conducted exclusively through legitimate institutions and adheres to the principles of state-to-state respect. The ministry further stressed its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the consolidation of state authority over all weapons within its borders.
Security Tensions in Southern Syria
The reports of diplomatic outreach coincided with heightened security operations on the ground. On Tuesday, Syrian authorities announced they had dismantled a sabotage cell in the Yarmouk Basin in Daraa province, accusing the group of being affiliated with Hezbollah. Syrian state media reported that the operation was carried out by internal security forces in coordination with general intelligence. The government stated that the cell was preparing to launch rockets from the area.
Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the incident, asserting that it maintains no presence or military activity within Syrian territory. This tension marks a departure from the years of the Syrian civil war, during which Hezbollah provided military support to the Assad government. Since the change in power in late 2024, the new Syrian administration has frequently accused the group of using its territory to transit weapons, while the U.S. has encouraged the Syrian military to send forces to Lebanon to fight Hezbollah.
Diplomatic Friction at the United Nations
The regional instability is further complicated by ongoing disputes over the Golan Heights. During the recent 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Ahmed al-Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a public confrontation regarding the status of the border region. Al-Sharaa challenged the continued presence of Israeli forces in the area, which has been monitored under a 1974 agreement, while Israeli officials defended their deployment as a necessary measure against jihadist threats originating from within Syria.
During his address, Al-Sharaa reported that since the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has executed approximately 500 airstrikes, over 1,200 incursions, and 300 detention operations within Syrian territory. He urged Israel to withdraw to the lines established by the 1974 agreement to allow for discussions on regional security arrangements. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz maintained that the Golan Heights remain an integral part of Israel, vowing to hold the territory as long as threats persist from the border.
