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Russia's Contrasting Position in Syria: Protecting Israel in the South While Bombing Civilians in the North
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The increase in Russian military sites in Syria reveals Moscow's strategy to enhance its influence and tighten control over Syrian regime decisions
Moscow is adopting a dual strategy in Syria, combining turning a blind eye to escalating Israeli raids in the south and center, merely condemning and registering positions, while participating in targeting civilians in the north.
Russia has strengthened its military presence in Syria by increasing its sites to 114 in 2024, distributed between 21 bases and 93 military points, while Iranian sites total 529 locations.
Russian affairs researcher Dr. Nasr Al-Youssef explained that Moscow's relationship with the regime resembles "a knight with his horse," confirming that the Syrian regime's president receives Russian instructions to avoid engaging in the confrontation between Israel, Iran, and "Hezbollah."
Experts observe tangible changes on the southern front under Russian supervision, including reduction of international forces and increased Israeli observation points, with Israeli penetration reaching two kilometers inside Syrian territory.
The "hotline" document between Tel Aviv and Moscow reveals military coordination to prevent conflict in Syrian airspace movements, while analysts rule out Russian intervention in case of deeper Israeli penetration.
This October witnessed Russian escalation in northern Syria, where Russian fighters conducted 25 raids in one day on various areas of Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia countryside.
The "Syrian Network for Human Rights" documented the killing of 11 civilians in Russian bombing on the outskirts of Idlib, in addition to the destruction of the "Al-Kilani" power station, depriving thousands of civilians of water.
Field sources confirm the continuation of Russian bombing of "de-escalation" zones under the pretext of targeting "terrorists," while human rights reports indicate civilian casualties.
Levant-Agencies
