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Israel seeks to strengthen ties with Russia to limit Turkish influence
The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" revealed that Israel is working to strengthen its relations with Russia, aiming for the broader goal of curbing Turkish influence in Syria.
The Israeli newspaper explained that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent his military secretary, Roman Gofman, to Moscow in recent days for a series of security and diplomatic meetings aimed at enhancing cooperation with Russia to "protect Israel's strategic interests."
Gofman, who returned from Moscow on Friday, is considered one of Netanyahu's closest advisers and has undertaken similar covert missions in other locations over the past weeks.
The newspaper states that Israel's stance on Syria has become increasingly clear; it prefers Russian influence over a foothold for Turkey and is actively working to limit Ankara's influence in its neighbor.
On another front, Israel is also deeply concerned about "entities that are strengthening their power in post-Assad Syria," considering them hostile to Israel.
Netanyahu has already ramped up pressure in this direction, publicly calling for disarmament in southern Syria.
According to Reuters, Israel urges the United States to ensure that Syria remains "weak," including allowing Russia to maintain its military bases there to counter Turkey's efforts to form a security alliance with the new authorities in Syria.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to host his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Shar'a, with discussions focusing on the establishment of Turkish military bases, training reformed Syrian armed forces, and securing the country's airspace, according to "Yedioth Ahronoth."
Israel views these developments as a direct threat and is working to thwart them, preferring Russian presence in Syria over Turkish influence.
Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli forces have advanced significantly into Syrian territory after the disbanded army withdrew from its bases.
During a graduation ceremony for Israeli army officers last week, Netanyahu reiterated the necessity of an Israeli military presence in key areas of Syria and Lebanon.
He stated, "We demand complete disarmament in southern Syria from the new regime's forces, and we will not tolerate any threats to the Druze population in southern Syria."
The statement particularly referred to the Jaramana suburb southeast of Damascus, which has a high population density and a Christian and Druze majority, where one person was killed and nine others injured on Saturday in clashes between Druze gunmen and security forces from the new authorities, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
