Syrian, "Israeli" ministers to hold second meeting in Baku: Sources

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and "Israeli" Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer are scheduled to hold a second round of talks in Baku on Thursday, a diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Wednesday.

According to the source, the meeting will focus on “security issues, particularly in southern Syria,” and will come ahead of al-Shibani’s visit to Moscow, also planned for Thursday.

This meeting follows an unprecedented round of US-brokered talks in Paris last week between the two ministers. A senior diplomatic source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the talks were facilitated by an American envoy.

Tensions have been escalating in southern Syria since July 13, when clashes erupted in the Druze-majority province of Suwayda between local armed groups and Bedouin fighters. The violence quickly intensified, drawing in government forces and tribal militias. During the unrest, "Israel" launched airstrikes targeting government sites in Damascus and military positions in Suwayda.

The American envoy and Syrian foreign minister are also expected to meet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Paris on Friday morning, according to a French Foreign Ministry source.

Since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, Syria’s transitional government has stated that it seeks to avoid conflicts with neighboring countries.

A previous Syrian-"Israeli" meeting reportedly took place in Baku on July 12, on the sidelines of a visit by Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, to Azerbaijan, according to a diplomatic source in Damascus familiar with the discussions.