Mossad Chief Meets Secretly with Syrian Foreign Minister to Ease Tensions After Israeli Airstrike

Days after an Israeli airstrike targeted the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwest Syria on August 18, Mossad Chief Roman Gofman held a secret meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. The Israeli strike aimed to prevent a Turkish military presence at the base, which Israel viewed as a potential security threat. Both Syria and Turkey denied plans to establish a permanent Turkish base there. Al-Shibani stated that Damascus had informed Israel in advance that the base would be used solely for Syrian Air Force infrastructure restoration following the civil war damage.

According to reports by Barak Ravid, the meeting between Gofman and al-Shibani sought to de-escalate the heightened tensions and avoid further deterioration in Israeli-Syrian relations. The Prime Minister's Office in Israel declined to comment, and no immediate response was received from the Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

Turkey, a key supporter of armed opposition groups during Syria's civil war, has maintained a military presence of approximately 20,000 troops in northern Syria since 2016. Earlier in 2026, Turkish Defense Minister Ismail Guler confirmed that Ankara has no plans to withdraw its forces from Syria in the near future. The recent Israeli strike and subsequent diplomatic engagement highlight the complex regional dynamics involving Israel, Syria, and Turkey.