Syrian Foreign Minister Says Talks with Israel Frozen After Airport Attack, Urges Historic Opportunity

The Syrian Foreign Minister, Assad Hassan al-Shibani, announced that diplomatic talks with Israel have been suspended following an Israeli strike on a military airport in Syria last week. Despite the halt, al-Shibani expressed optimism that negotiations will resume soon and urged both sides to seize what he called a "historic opportunity" for progress.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement explaining that while Israel and Syria had agreed to maintain the security status quo, Syria violated this by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo. Israel had repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would threaten its security, but Syria ignored these warnings. The statement emphasized that Israel will not tolerate threats to its security and welcomed a return to the previous status quo.

This development follows heightened tensions along the Israel-Syria border, with the recent Israeli airstrike targeting the military airfield seen as a response to the Turkish military presence in northern Syria. The Syrian Foreign Minister’s call to resume talks highlights ongoing diplomatic efforts despite recent hostilities.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides watching for potential steps toward renewed dialogue or further escalation. The international community continues to monitor the border region closely amid these developments.