Syria denies officials held ‘secret’ talks with Hezbollah in Turkiye

Syria’s Ministry of Information has denied reports that government representatives have held direct talks with Hezbollah in Turkiye. Reuters news agency said that Syrian officials and the Iran-aligned group met secretly in September. Reuters said they spoke to six sources, including two Syrian officials, a United States official and a senior Lebanese security source close to Hezbollah. The ministry said on its official X account Thursday that the “claims are false. No such meeting took place”. Turkiye, which reportedly brokered the meeting, also denied that it took place. The Turkish government labelled the claim as “baseless” in a statement on X on Thursday. Tensions between Syria’s new leadership and Hezbollah run deep .