UAE Brokers Secret Syria-Israel Talks Amid Major Regional Realignment
In a pivotal shift, Abu Dhabi facilitates covert intelligence meetings between Israel and Syria’s new leadership, sparking questions about normalization and shifting alliances.
Watan-In what has been described as a pivotal shift in the regional political landscape, Reuters revealed that the UAE is actively mediating secret talks between the Syrian regime—now led by newly appointed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—and the Israeli occupation state.
These discreet meetings, involving intelligence officials from both sides, have focused primarily on security and intelligence coordination, intentionally avoiding the topic of ongoing Israeli military operations inside Syria.
According to the report, these contacts began following Al-Sharaa’s visit to Abu Dhabi in mid-April 2025. The UAE leveraged its open channels with Israel, established through the Abraham Accords signed in 2020, to act as a facilitator. The Emirati role highlights the deepening of Arab normalization projects—shifting from covert engagements to public and influential involvement in shaping the futures of countries like Syria.
Syria’s Rebranding Strategy Meets Israeli Security Goals Amid UAE Mediation
The talks coincide with significant transformations within the Syrian leadership, as the new regime seeks to reposition itself regionally and ease the economic and political pressures caused by years of international isolation. These developments include controversial actions such as arresting figures affiliated with Palestinian resistance factions and issuing reassurance messages to Jewish communities.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its aerial strikes in Syria, targeting what it claims are Iranian and Hezbollah-linked assets, insisting it will not tolerate threats on its northern border.
International actors, especially the U.S., are monitoring the developments closely, with clear interest in any Israeli-Syrian rapprochement that could weaken Iran’s influence in Syria.
Although no official statements have been issued by Tel Aviv or Damascus, the timing of these leaks signals a potential new phase in regional diplomacy—one in which the UAE positions itself as a broker of major strategic deals.
The central question remains:
Are these secret meetings paving the way for gradual normalization between Syria and Israel?
Or are they limited to UAE-sponsored security coordination?
