The UAE has established a backchannel to facilitate indirect talks between Syria and Israel, Reuters reported.

The conversations, which began during Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa's visit to the UAE on April 13, are focused on intelligence and security coordination between the two nations, which do not have formal diplomatic connections.Throughout a visit to Paris, President Sharaa acknowledged the indirect negotiations and urged Israel-friendly states to call for a halt to Israeli hostilities in Syria.

Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister, denied any formal engagement in mediation.

According to Reuters, the channel involves UAE and Syrian security officers, as well as former Israeli intelligence agents. Syrian and Israeli officials have not responded, and it is unknown whether the channel was used following recent Israeli strikes near Damascus.