OPINION:
The Israeli president traveled to Moscow Wednesday in order to receive assurances from the Kremlin that Russia’s pullout from Syria will not embolden Iran and their proxy army, Hezbollah, in threatening Israel. Hezbollah is considered by Israeli Defense Forces as its most dangerous and capable enemy. Israel fought a bloody conflict in Lebanon against this enemy and is worried Hezbollah is feeling strengthened by its support from Iran, Russia, and the Syrian armed forces. The IDF is concerned about high tech Russian weapons, housed in territory controlled by the Assad regime, being used in future attacks.
In his afternoon talks with Vladimir Putin, Reuven Rivlin will “seek assurances that Russia will not allow its Syria withdrawal to bolster Iran and Hezbollah”, an aide to the Israeli president told Reuters.
On Tuesday, the Russian deputy ambassador to Israel said the countries would continue their military coordination on Syria. “We will also do everything so that Israel’s national security interests are not harmed in the process,” the envoy, Alexey Drobinin, said.
Israel has routinely attacked Syrian positions when they fear arms are being transferred to Hezbollah or when sophisticated Russian weapons are being given to Assad’s military that could be turned against the Jewish state.
Regardless of Russia’s announcement, Iranian analysts and media believe this is not the end of Russia’s military involvement in Syria. Ramin Hossein-Abadian wrote for the Mehr News Agency, “Without a doubt, in the future, the Russian military air and sea support of Syria’s military … will continue,” reported Al-Monitor.
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