Syria denies reports of secret talks with Hezbollah in Turkiye

Syria’s Ministry of Information has denied reports that government representatives held direct talks with Hezbollah in Turkiye. The denial follows claims made by Reuters, which cited six sources from Syria, the US, and Lebanon, stating that the meeting aimed to calm tensions. According to Reuters, Syrian officials and the Iran-aligned group met secretly in September, with sources including two Syrian officials, a US official, and a senior Lebanese security source close to Hezbollah. The ministry stated on its official X account on Thursday that the "claims are false. No such meeting took place." Turkiye, which reportedly brokered the meeting, also denied that it occurred, calling the claim "baseless" in a statement on X. Tensions between Syria’s leadership and Hezbollah are longstanding, with Hezbollah previously supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime during the Syrian conflict. The reported meeting was said to involve Hezbollah representatives, Syrian intelligence, and Foreign Ministry officials. Sources indicated that the meeting was initiated by Turkish security and intelligence agencies to de-escalate regional tensions. A Syrian official reportedly stated that both sides agreed they harbored no mutual hostility, with Syria assuring Hezbollah it would not intervene militarily in Lebanon to disarm the group. Syrian officials also requested Hezbollah's assistance in stopping cross-border smuggling and dismantling sleeper cells in southern Syria. The meeting was said to have focused on resolving tensions, and sources indicated it went well. A Lebanese source noted that contact between the two parties via Turkiye had begun about two months prior. However, Reuters could not confirm the specifics of the meeting, including its location, duration, or whether additional meetings occurred. Both Hezbollah and Syrian officials have expressed openness to discussions, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani stating in July that Damascus was willing to meet with the group, and Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem indicating in August that the group had no objection to meeting Syria’s leadership. Three sources cited by Reuters claimed that Turkiye, a key ally of the Syrian president, facilitated the meeting.