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Türkiye and Israel are set to hold a second round of direct talks regarding Syria on Thursday, May 8, in Azerbaijan, according to Israel’s state broadcaster Kan.
The meeting follows an earlier round of technical-level discussions held in Baku on April 9, where both sides agreed to continue dialogue aimed at preserving regional stability. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has positioned Baku as a mediator, leveraging strong ties with both Ankara and Tel Aviv to de-escalate tensions.
The talks come amid rising strain between Türkiye and Israel after a string of Israeli airstrikes in Syria. One of the latest attacks targeted the Tiyas (T-4) airbase, where Türkiye is reportedly planning to establish a military facility. Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel seeks to maintain air dominance in Syria amid concerns about Türkiye’s expanding presence there.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December, Israel has increased its territorial control in the Syrian Golan Heights, including seizing the demilitarized buffer zone—a breach of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria.
Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on December 8, ending over six decades of Baath Party rule. Ahmed al-Sharaa, a prominent opposition figure who led the anti-regime forces, was sworn in as president of a transitional government on January 29.
In response to the evolving power dynamics, Türkiye and Israel have initiated steps to prevent direct confrontation and establish a Syria-focused deconfliction mechanism. Thursday’s meeting in Baku marks another attempt to bridge strategic gaps as both countries adjust to the post-Assad landscape.
Aliyev has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to facilitating normalization between Türkiye and Israel, highlighting Azerbaijan’s growing diplomatic role in regional crisis management.
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