Illustrative image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
Israel rejected a Russian initiative aimed at deploying military forces and observation posts in southern Syria, Maariv reported on January 14, citing an Israeli official.
Reports of the initiative began to emerge last August, and in November Syrian and Russian defense officials were spotted conducting a tour in the southern governorates of al-Qunitra and Daraa.
The Israeli military invaded the buffer zone adjacent to the occupied Golan Heights in al-Qunitra right after the fall of the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, and has since established a series of posts there, including atop of the strategic Mount Hermon.
The military has been also conducting operations in nearby areas in al-Qunitra, Daraa and the nearby governorate of Rif Dimashq on a daily basis.
The official who spoke to Maariv said that the military will not withdraw from the Mount Hermon in Syria, stressing that Israel’s position on the matter is “clear and non-negotiable.”
He added that Israel is following “with great concern” the ongoing contacts between Syria and both Russia and Turkey, especially those related to potential arms deals, warning that the country’s possession of what he called “strategic weapons” could alter the balance of power in the region.
The official also noted that Israel will not agree to any military developments that could affect Israel’s military superiority or threaten its national security.
Maariv’s report indicates that major differences are still in place between Israel and Syria, that is despite the United States announcing earlier this month following a round of direct talks between the two in France that a preliminary agreement was reached.
A joint statement from the two countries and the U.S. said that the talks resulted in the creation of a “joint fusion mechanism” — a “dedicated communication cell” meant to “facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination on their intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities under the supervision of the United States.”
Over the past year, Russia and Syria maintained contact on the highest levels. However, the two countries have not yet reached any agreement, not even on the fate of Russian bases on the coast. Thus, the claims of arms deals between the two seem unrealistic.
The remarks cited by Maariv highlight two clear Israeli red lines: no withdrawal from the buffer zone in southern Syria, and no arms for the country’s new military.
This goes directly against Syria’s declared goal of reactivating the separation of forces agreement of 1974, which created the buffer zone along the Golan Heights, as well as against its ambition to rebuild its strategic military capabilities, which were largely wiped out by Israel after the fall of the Assad regime. Still, it is hard to imagine how the country would be able to challenge Israel, especially that it has so far accepted everything proposed by the U.S.
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if the turks were serious things could get interesting.
nato member turkey vs the western ruling castes summer camp (israel)
the turks deploy some radar and anti aircrap, the chosenites bomb it and if the turks aren’t cowards like other people, the turks shoot down the israeli fighter-bombers.
make for some interesting news, peacenik donya could settle all the ruffled feathers.
nato was started by france and england both tried to invade north america but were foiled by tsar alexander sending mckinley the entire russian navy . mckinley was assasinated . tsar alexander survived attempts but died suddenly from a medical situation. charles is king of israel.