Syria’s Ministry of Information has officially refuted allegations that government representatives engaged in direct negotiations with the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah on Turkish soil. The denial came in response to a Reuters report stating that such a meeting occurred in September, a claim also dismissed by the Turkish government.
In a statement posted to its official X account on Thursday, the Syrian ministry described the reports as false, asserting unequivocally that no such gathering had taken place. Ankara echoed this position, labeling the allegations “baseless” in its own public statement on the same platform.
According to Reuters, which cited six anonymous sources including two Syrian officials, a U.S. official, and a senior Lebanese security figure linked to Hezbollah, the secretive session was brokered by Turkish intelligence. The network reported that the dialogue aimed to ease rising regional tensions between Syria’s new administration and the Iran-aligned militant group.
The article suggested that during the purported encounter, Syrian officials conveyed assurances that Damascus would not launch military operations into Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, which is currently engaged in combat with Israel in the south. In return, Syria reportedly requested that Hezbollah assist in curbing cross-border smuggling and eliminating remaining sleeper cells in southern Syria.
Tensions between the two factions have historically been high. Hezbollah forces spent years bolstering the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, often clashing violently with al-Nusra Front, the insurgent group formerly led by current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Despite the official denials, prior diplomatic signals had hinted at a potential thaw. In July, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed openness to engaging with Hezbollah. That sentiment was mirrored in August when Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem stated during a televised address that his organization had no objection to holding talks with Syria’s leadership.
Reuters noted that it could not independently verify the location, duration, or existence of additional meetings beyond the single September session. Contact between the parties via Turkey is said to have begun approximately two months prior to the reported encounter.
Just another denial in a region full of them. I’ll believe it when I see proof.
Why would Syria lie about de-escalating with Hezbollah? Seems counterproductive.
Turkey brokering this fits their pattern perfectly. Weird they deny it so publicly.
Denial of secret talks is expected, but the context makes this seem plausible.