Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has officially confirmed that his country is acting as a mediator in talks between Syria and Israel, with the aim of fostering peace and stability in the Middle East. In a significant parallel development, Aliyev also announced a major quadrilateral agreement to supply Syria with natural gas, positioning Azerbaijan as a key player in both the region's diplomatic and economic future.
The confirmation of the mediation efforts, revealed by President Aliyev in a televised interview with Al Arabiya English, follows months of speculation. According to a report by The Syrian Observer, an initial meeting between Syrian and Israeli officials was hosted under Azerbaijani mediation in Baku. This foundational step was reportedly followed by two subsequent meetings in Paris, facilitated by the United States, which signaled a progression toward more direct negotiations.
These diplomatic overtures are taking place against a backdrop of continued military friction. Despite the new Syrian administration formed in December 2024 refraining from issuing formal threats toward Tel Aviv, Israeli military actions in Syria have persisted. A recent Israeli drone strike in the Al-Kiswah region reportedly killed six Syrian military personnel, underscoring the fragile security situation that the peace talks aim to address.
Beyond its role as a diplomatic broker, Azerbaijan is solidifying its relationship with Syria through vital energy and humanitarian support. President Aliyev detailed a new agreement with Turkey, Syria, and Qatar to deliver Azerbaijani gas to the war-torn country.
"We reached an agreement on supplying 1.2 billion cubic metres of gas at present, but this volume could be increased in the future," Aliyev stated.
The energy partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 12. The first phase of the project, which is funded by Qatar and routes the gas through Turkey, began on August 2. It currently provides Syria with approximately 3.4 million cubic metres of gas per day, a crucial supply designated for electricity generation at the nation's gas-powered plants.