Israel is satisfied with Russia’s position on Iran’s military presence in Syria, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Gary Koren said in an interview with TASS. According to him, Israel and Russia have been intensively discussing the issue of Iran’s military presence in Syria, which "is aimed against Israel." "The Russian authorities are aware of Israel’s position, which has been clarified many times, particularly at high-level meetings and through channels set up by foreign and defense ministries," Koren said. "I would like to point out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Moscow on May 9 at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin," he added. "I can say that despite some disagreements, Israel is satisfied with Russia’s stance," Koren said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that agreements concerning the southern de-escalation zone in Syria implied that only Syrian government forces could remain on the border with … [Read more...] about Israel satisfied with Russia’s stance on Iran’s military presence in Syria — ambassador
Syria
Hezbollah, Iran-Backed Forces Won’t Take Part in South Syria Assault – Source
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an informed Syrian military source told Sputnik reporter Suliman Mulhem today that “Hezbollah resistance fighters and other Iran-backed foreign militias” will play no role in the Syrian Army’s upcoming offensive in the area, seemingly corroborating earlier reports of an agreement between Russia and Israel on the matter. READ MORE: Syrian Army Doesn't Need Permission From US to Attack Terrorists – MFA Source © REUTERS / Omar SanadikiRussia-US-Jordan Talks on Syrian South De-Escalation Zone to Be Held Next Week – SourceThe source was however unable to confirm if the absence of the aforementioned militias from the coalition of government forces which will take part in the imminent south Syria offensive is due to external pressure from Israel and a formal agreement, though this does seem likely. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have … [Read more...] about Hezbollah, Iran-Backed Forces Won’t Take Part in South Syria Assault – Source
US Base in Poland, Syria’s Constitutional Commission, Nord Stream 2
We start off our show by talking about why NATO chose Colombia as its first-ever Latin American "global partner". Then we move over to the Mideast to explain what's driving Russia's interest in participating in the Trans-Arabian Railway project. After that, our next subject of discussion is the geopolitics surrounding Nord Stream II and why the US is so fiercely against it. Once that's done, our penultimate topic is how Syria has already decided on a list of experts to attend the upcoming UN-supervised "constitutional commission". And finally, our top story of the week is how Poland proposed to host a permanent US military base on its territory. We'd love to get your feedback at [email protected] … [Read more...] about US Base in Poland, Syria’s Constitutional Commission, Nord Stream 2
Damascus ready to reassert control over N. Syria
Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad has said that Damascus is ready to reassume control over northern Syria if talks break down between his regime and the YPG/PKK terrorist group. In a Wednesday interview with Russian broadcaster Russia Today, al-Assad said the conflict in his country was “almost over”. “Washington has few cards left to play after the liberation [by the Syrian regime] of Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Damascus,” he asserted. “We have defeated most of the terrorist groups,” he said. “Only the so-called ‘Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) are left.” Damascus is “open to talks”, al-Assad added, going on to say that most SDF members were Syrians “who love Syria and don’t want to be used as pawns by outsiders”. He added: “If talks with the YPG/PKK end in failure we are ready to liberate the area by force.” He also commended Moscow’s “wise” approach to the conflict, … [Read more...] about Damascus ready to reassert control over N. Syria
Pentagon warns Syria’s Assad against attacking Kurdish-led forces
WASHINGTON (AFP) Director of US Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie briefs the press on the strikes at the Pentagon in Washington on April 14, 2018. Saul Loeb / AFP The Pentagon on May 31 warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad not to carry out an offensive agains Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States that control the country's north-east. "Any interested party in Syria should understand that attacking US Forces or our coalition partners will be a bad policy," Lieutenant General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the joint staff, said during a press conference. His remarks came after Assad told Russian broadcaster RT he would not hesitate to use force to retake the third of the country held by the Syrian Democratic Forces. "The only problem left in Syria is the SDF," he told the channel, adding he saw "two options." "The first one: we started now opening doors for negotiations. Because the majority of them are Syrians, supposedly they … [Read more...] about Pentagon warns Syria’s Assad against attacking Kurdish-led forces