Will they, won't they?
July 31, 2018
Previously, Netanyahu has demanded that Putin keep Assad away from Israel's border and expel all Iranian forces from Syria.
Putin's apparent answer: "No can do."
NEWS: Assad’s regime regains control of Golan Heights frontier with Israel.
Islamic State militants surrender to Syrian army; Assad regime takes control of southwest region; Russia to Israel: We cannot expel Iranian forces from Syria.
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Assad’s regime regained control of southwest Syria from Islamic State militants on Monday.
The Islamic State affiliated “Khaled bin Al-Waleed Army” gave up control to the Syrian army following a six-week campaign. It is the first time the Syrian army has controlled the region on Israel’s border in seven years.
ISIS recently attacked the Druze city of Suwayda, massacring over 250 and kidnapping dozens. The terror organization demanded that the Syria army stop its military efforts in Yarmouk Valley and the Syrian Golan Heights. A reported 24 women and 16 children were kidnapped.
These developments following Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov announcement on Monday that it is currently “non-realistic” to expel Iranian forces from Syria. In an interview with Israeli media, Viktorov claimed Iran is “playing a very, very important role in our common and joint effort to eliminate terrorists in Syria,” reporting “That is why, for this period of time, we see as non-realistic any demands to expel any foreign troops from the entirety of the Syrian Arab Republic… We can talk with our Iranian partners very frankly and openly, trying to persuade them to do or not to do something.”
The ambassador expressed disapproval of Israel’s military action in Syria, but stated that “It is not up to Russia to give Israel freedom to do anything, or to prohibit Israel to do anything.” He added “Ensuring Israel’s security in top priority. And these are not empty words for Russian foreign policy.”
Israel has been clear that it will not allow Iran and its proxies to threaten Israel’s borders. Following a Syrian jet that took off from the Syrian T-4 airbase and infiltrated Israeli territory last week, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated that Israel “will not accept any such penetration of, or spillover into, our territory, neither on the ground nor in the air,” calling on Syrians to adhere to the UN Separation of Forces Agreement.
Be sure to watch Amir’s Middle East Current Events Update on regional developments on the Russian presence on the Israeli border, the ISIS attack on the Syrian Druze, the release of the American pastor in Turkey, an update on his ministry tour in New Zealand and much more.
August 1, 2018
Update;
Russia is giving conflicting information about the plausibility of Iranian forces withdrawing up to 100 km from Israel's northern border. We'll see where this goes.
NEWS: Russia: Iranian forces pulling back from southwest Syria
Russian envoy reports Iranian and Shi’ite forces in southwest Syria to withdraw 85 kilometers from Golan Heights, claims “heavy equipment and weapons” posing a threat to Israel from southwest removed; Some “Iranian advisors” to remain with Syrian army.
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Russia announced on Wednesday that Iranian and Shi’ite forces have begun to withdraw up to 85 kilometers away from Israel’s borders in southwest Syria.
Russia’s Special Envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, made the announcement following reports that Iranian forces started to pull out from southwest Syria on Wednesday morning. He confirmed Wednesday afternoon that “The Iranians withdrew and the Shi’ite formation are not there.” He did report, however, that “Iranian advisors”, a term used by Russia, Iran and Syria in reference to Iranian advisors and military forces, would remain amongst Syrian army forces.
The envoy also claimed heavy equipment and weapons that could “pose a threat to Israel at a distant of 85 km from the line of demarcation” were removed.
These developments follow Russian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov claims on Monday that Israel’s demands for the removal of Iranian forces from up to 100 kilometers from Israel’s border were “non-realistic”. The ambassador defended Iranian forces assisting the Syrian army, claiming that forces are currently playing a “very, very important role in our common and joint effort to eliminate terrorists in Syria”.
Assad’s regime regained control of southwest Syria from Islamic State militants on Monday after the Islamic State affiliated “Khaled bin Al-Waleed Army” surrendered to the Syrian army. It is the first time the Syrian army has controlled the frontier on Israel’s border in seven years.
The IDF has been clear that it will not allow the entrenchment of Iran and its proxies in Syria and that Assad’s regime would be help accountable for any threats, attacks or spillover on Israel.
The IDF has carried out numerous missions in Syria, thwarting weapons transfers to Hezbollah, chemical weapons sites and dozens of threats against Israel. Last Tuesday, the IDF shot down Syrian fighter jet that entered Israeli airspace. Prior, Israeli airstrikes were reported on Iranian-Syrian chemical weapons and missile production facility in Masyaf, Syria.
Be sure this week’s Middle East Current Events Update where Amir spoke about developments in Syria and the region.
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