Russia Maneuvers Between Tehran and Tel Aviv on Syrian Territory

Russia Maneuvers Between Tehran and Tel Aviv on Syrian Territory
Russian maneuvers in Syria reveal Moscow's attempts to maintain its interests in the region without provoking Israel or losing its alliance with Iran
October 29, 2024, 5:52 pm

الجيش الروسي في سوريا

The Syrian arena is witnessing intensive Russian diplomatic movements to control escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, amid increasing Israeli strikes on Iranian sites inside Syrian territory since the war on Gaza began.

Moscow has initiated ongoing consultations with the Iranian side, aimed at restricting Tehran's movements and its armed factions in Syria, seeking to avoid further Israeli escalation.

The Russian leadership is trying to convince Tehran to refrain from launching attacks from Syrian territory toward Israel, especially after repeated drone launches by pro-Iranian factions toward the Golan area.

Russia fears the possibility of Israeli strikes expanding to affect military facilities belonging to the Syrian regime, or Tel Aviv deciding to expand its operations in southern Syria.

Moscow avoids showing public opposition to Israeli activity, fearing it might push Tel Aviv to increase its support for Ukraine in response to any Russian position that could be interpreted as bias toward Iran.

Russia adopts a balanced policy between Tehran and Tel Aviv, limiting its demands on Iran to organizing and concealing its activity from Israeli monitoring, without demanding its complete cessation, while not preventing support from reaching Iranian-backed factions, including Hezbollah.

In return, Moscow overlooks repeated Israeli raids on Iranian sites in Syria, receiving advance notifications from Tel Aviv about planned attacks to avoid any friction between the parties.

Russia has pledged to Israel to restrict Iran's use of Syrian airports for weapons transfer, however, Lebanese sources confirm the continued flow of Russian weapons from Syrian regime possession to Hezbollah through the Bekaa region.

The distinction in Israel's targeting of Syrian forces is notable, where strikes affect Iran-linked formations like the Fourth Division, while avoiding targeting units associated with Russian influence like the 25th and 30th Divisions and the Republican Guard.

Russia continues its movements in Syria to protect its influence and prevent the weakening of the Syrian regime, maintaining communication channels with various active powers, waiting for developments that might push it toward either toughening its position on Iranian influence or tolerating it according to its interests in the conflict with the West.

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