Syrian, Israeli Officials Reportedly Meet at Hmeimim Air Base
A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet is prepared for takeoff at the Russian military base of Hmeimim, Syria, on 26 September 2019. (Getty Images)
Damascus, London – Asharq Al-Awsat
Syrian and Israeli officials reportedly held a meeting last month at the Russian air base in Hmeimim, Syria.
The Russia-sponsored meeting tackled several issues, including Israel’s demand for Iran to pull out its militias from Syria, said the Jusoor for Studies website.
Damascus and Tel Aviv have not commented on the report.
The website said the meeting included Syrian national security bureau chief Ali Mamlouk, presidential palace security aide Bassam Hassan, Israel’s former Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and commander of Russian forces in Syria, Alexander Chayko.
The Syrian officials demanded that their country’s return to the Arab League be “facilitated” and that it receive financial aid to pay debts to Iran. They also called for lifting western sanctions on Damascus.
Israel demanded that Hezbollah, Iran and Iranian militias be withdrawn completely from Syria, that a Syrian government that includes opposition figures be formed and that the military be restructured.
The website said that “no specific agreements were reached, but it represented the beginning of Russian efforts” towards a certain objective. More meetings are expected in 2021.
Source: Syrian, Israeli Officials Reportedly Meet at Hmeimim Air Base | Asharq AL-awsat