Syrian Officials, Hezbollah Held Secret Talks in Türkiye, Sources Say

DAMASCUS, SYRIA — WEB DESK: Syrian government officials and representatives of Lebanon’s Hezbollah have held direct secret talks in Türkiye, marking a notable contact between the two sides after years of Hezbollah support for former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

The talks took place in recent weeks and focused on several unresolved issues between Damascus and the Lebanese group, including the fate of Syrians who disappeared in Lebanon during previous decades.

The Syrian delegation sought information about missing Syrian nationals believed to have disappeared or been detained in Lebanon, as well as individuals whose cases have remained unresolved for years.

Security-related issues and the future relationship between the two sides were also discussed during the meetings.

The contacts are particularly significant because Hezbollah was one of Assad’s most important military allies during Syria’s civil war. The Lebanese group deployed fighters in support of Assad’s forces and played a major role in several battles against opposition groups.

Assad’s government collapsed in December 2024, dramatically altering Syria’s political landscape and weakening a regional network that had connected Tehran, Damascus and Hezbollah.

Syria’s new authorities have since sought to redefine the country’s relations with neighbouring states and regional political and military actors.

The contacts with Hezbollah appear to represent an effort to resolve practical disputes despite the deep hostility created by the group’s involvement in Syria’s conflict.

The discussions do not necessarily indicate political reconciliation or a broader normalisation of relations. No formal agreement between the Syrian authorities and Hezbollah has been publicly announced.

Türkiye’s reported role as the location for the meetings is also significant because Ankara backed Syrian opposition forces during the civil war and has developed close relations with Syria’s post-Assad leadership.

Neither side has publicly disclosed detailed outcomes from the discussions, while the sensitive nature of the contacts means significant elements of the talks remain unconfirmed.

The meetings nevertheless highlight shifting political and security dynamics across the region following the collapse of the Assad government and the subsequent transformation of Syria’s regional relationships.