Syria and Hezbollah Engage in Secret Talks in Turkey, Sources Say

By Feras Dalatey, Laila Bassam, and Timour Azhari

Oct 1 (Reuters) – Syrian government representatives and Hezbollah held face-to-face discussions in Turkey aimed at easing tensions, according to six sources familiar with the first known encounter between the long-standing adversaries.

Syrian authorities and the Iran-backed group held at least one secret meeting last month, the sources—including two Syrian officials, a US official, and a senior Lebanese security source close to Hezbollah—told Reuters.

Hezbollah deployed fighters to Syria for years to support former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime during the civil war.

Following Assad’s ouster in late 2024 by a swift rebel offensive, tensions escalated between Syria’s new government and Hezbollah, with Damascus accusing the group of arms smuggling and Washington encouraging Syrian forces to enter Lebanon against the militant group.

The recent meeting included Hezbollah representatives and Syrian intelligence and foreign ministry officials, convened at the invitation of Turkish security and intelligence agencies to de-escalate the situation, the sources said.

All sources spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the previously unreported meeting.

Syria’s foreign ministry, Turkey’s foreign and defense ministries, and the US State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ inquiries. Hezbollah’s media office declined to comment.

Officials discussed mutual security concerns, sources say. The meeting focused on resolving points of tension and went well, according to the US official, Syrian officials, and the Lebanese source.

One Syrian official stated both sides agreed they held no hostility toward one another, and Syria assured Hezbollah it would not militarily intervene in Lebanon to disarm the group.

In return, Syrian officials requested Hezbollah’s assistance in stopping cross-border smuggling and dismantling remaining sleeper cells, particularly in southern Syria.

Syria claimed on Tuesday it had captured a Hezbollah cell preparing to launch rockets in southern Syria. Hezbollah denied involvement on Wednesday, stating it has “no presence whatsoever on Syrian territory and no involvement in any security or military activity there.”

The Syrian official noted Hezbollah’s representatives did not directly answer the request to halt arms smuggling and dismantle cells, but pledged not to interfere in Syria’s affairs.

The Lebanese source, with direct knowledge of the meeting, said the two sides “made a lot of progress on security issues.”

“Hezbollah wants to protect its flank,” the source said, referring to concerns about a potential Syrian attack within Lebanon.

Both the Syrian official and the Lebanese source confirmed no final agreement was reached and no announcement was planned.

The Lebanese source said contact between the two parties via Turkey had begun about two months ago.

Reuters could not verify where in Turkey the September meeting was held, how long it lasted, or if other meetings occurred before or since.

Turkey pushed for the meeting, Iran was absent. Both Hezbollah and Syria’s government had signaled openness to dialogue.

In July, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Damascus was open to meeting the group. A month later, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem stated the group had no objection to meeting Syria’s leadership.

Ankara positions itself as a key regional stakeholder in rebuilding and stabilizing Syria, seeking to facilitate regional dialogue and boost stability under President Tayyip Erdogan.

Three sources said Turkey, a key ally of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, pushed for the meeting to be directly involved in the efforts.

Hezbollah’s main sponsor, Iran, was absent. The Lebanese security source said Hezbollah attended with Iran’s knowledge, but Tehran was disappointed it was not a direct participant and that Sharaa rejected direct ties to Iran.

That disappointment was the main reason no final agreement was reached and no announcement was made.

Iran’s permanent mission in Geneva had no immediate comment.

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