by Yoav Limor
Not only is Russia failing to prevent Iran from increasing its power in Syria, "it is actually hastening it," official says.
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Iranian President
Hassan Rouhani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan and Russian
President Vladimir Putin in Ankara last week
Photo: EPA
Senior Israeli defense officials expressed serious concerns over the implications of last week's summit in Ankara at which the leaders of Iran, Russia and Turkey discussed the aftermath of the Syrian civil war and how the spoils would be divided once the hostilities conclude.
"Iran views the outcome of the Ankara
summit as a green light to continue entrenching itself in Syria," one
senior defense official said, calling it "a disconcerting development
for Israel."
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's
participation in the meeting, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin
and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is perceived by the defense
establishment not only as a sign of gratitude to Iran for its efforts
to help salvage the Assad regime in Syria, but also as a guarantee of
Iran's future role there.
"The fact that Iran is participating in
such a summit, under Russia's wing, gives the Iranians the tailwind to
continue on their current path," an Israeli official said. "This is a
blatant, dangerous empowerment of negative forces in the region."
According to the official, Russia may not
have an interest in establishing significant Iranian power in Syria, but
it "not only is not doing anything to stop this process, it is actually
hastening it."
In recent months, Israeli officials have
been gravely concerned by Iran's efforts to build permanent military
bases inside Syria. These efforts have already prompted direct
confrontations between Israel and Iran: In December, an Iranian base near Damascus was hit in a strike attributed to Israel. In February, Israel downed an Iranian drone that had breached Israeli airspace. Israel also destroyed the drone's remote guidance system and two additional Iranian targets in Syria.
As these strikes have not curbed Iranian
efforts to establish a presence in Syria, Israel has communicated
resolute, diplomatic and open messages, first and foremost the U.S. and
Russia, that it will continue safeguarding its interests and will act to
foil Iran's activities.
Israeli defense officials believe the only
power capable of curbing or blocking Iran's regional aspirations is the
United States, but so far, Israel has had little success in its efforts
to enlist the U.S. to take an active role in Syria.
"The other side is seeing this American
weakness loud and clear and, it is enhanced further by the Russians'
embrace, giving these negative forces, led by Iran, a lot of
confidence," an Israeli official said.
"The other side takes note of American
weakness very well, and along with the Russian embrace, it gives the
negative forces, led by Iran, a lot of confidence."
As a result, Syrian President Bashar Assad
feels free to use chemical weapons on his people again and again, one
official said, calling Assad's behavior "a finger in the eye of the
Americans, and a reason for us to worry."
Yoav Limor
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/2018/04/09/israeli-officials-warn-against-irans-dangerous-empowerment-in-syria/
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