Update from Syria: It appears that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham has struck a deal with Russia to maintain access to their Naval Facility in Tartus
Shortly after the Syrian government fell into the hands of the al-Qaeda linked Jihadists, the CIA-aligned Washington Post reported that "Russians are packing up and moving out of Syria." The reality is that Russia merely relocated some of its military assets, including S-400 defense systems, away from areas where they could be targeted by Syrian rebel forces.
What complicates matters for U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is that Iran has pledged to cooperate with the newly established Syrian government, contrary to the U.S. strategy aimed at driving a wedge between Syria and Iran. Apparently, HTS is less focused on opposing Iran and are prioritizing the defense of Palestinians.
In northern Syria, the Turkish-backed rebel forces are inflicting significant casualties on the U.S. backed Kurdish forces. The Syrian Democratic Army has issued warnings that thousands of ISIS fighters might be released if these attacks continue.
Meanwhile, HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is reportedly upset over Israeli military strikes on Syrian military targets across the country. Israeli Media has compared al-Jolani to Yahya Sinwar. "In Israel, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is seen as a dangerous jihadist pretending to be a moderate," said a commentator on Israeli Channel 14 news.
There are growing concerns that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ambitions to extend Israel's territorial control to areas as far north as Damascus. Israel has long established settlements in the Syrian Golan Heights and claimed it as part of Israel. Interestingly, Jolani's family is from the Golan Heights and were forced out during the Six-Day War.
Israeli officials have expressed concerns that the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has created a power vacuum, as Syrian forces withdrew. According to Netanyahu's office, Israel will not allow militant groups to seize control of that vacuum and pose a threat to Israeli communities in the Golan Heights with attacks similar to those of October 7. General Nitzan Nuriel warned, "The worst-case scenario for Syria is that it could become the Somalia of the Middle East, with various factions warring against each other."
What complicates matters for U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is that Iran has pledged to cooperate with the newly established Syrian government, contrary to the U.S. strategy aimed at driving a wedge between Syria and Iran. Apparently, HTS is less focused on opposing Iran and are prioritizing the defense of Palestinians.
In northern Syria, the Turkish-backed rebel forces are inflicting significant casualties on the U.S. backed Kurdish forces. The Syrian Democratic Army has issued warnings that thousands of ISIS fighters might be released if these attacks continue.
Meanwhile, HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is reportedly upset over Israeli military strikes on Syrian military targets across the country. Israeli Media has compared al-Jolani to Yahya Sinwar. "In Israel, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani is seen as a dangerous jihadist pretending to be a moderate," said a commentator on Israeli Channel 14 news.
There are growing concerns that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ambitions to extend Israel's territorial control to areas as far north as Damascus. Israel has long established settlements in the Syrian Golan Heights and claimed it as part of Israel. Interestingly, Jolani's family is from the Golan Heights and were forced out during the Six-Day War.
Israeli officials have expressed concerns that the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has created a power vacuum, as Syrian forces withdrew. According to Netanyahu's office, Israel will not allow militant groups to seize control of that vacuum and pose a threat to Israeli communities in the Golan Heights with attacks similar to those of October 7. General Nitzan Nuriel warned, "The worst-case scenario for Syria is that it could become the Somalia of the Middle East, with various factions warring against each other."
22-25
