The reason for Russian military delegation's unusual visit to Syria

A Syrian source close to the Damascus regime told Kan News that the unusual visit by the Russian military delegation to southern Syria is part of Russia's initiative to restore military police patrols in the area, placing them as a buffer between Israeli and Syrian forces. The report first aired today (Tuesday) on the “This Morning” program on Kan Reshet Bet.

During the Assad regime, Russian military police forces were stationed in southern Syria, but they withdrew following its collapse. The Russian proposal to redeploy in southern Syria was raised with the Damascus regime several months ago. According to the Syrian source, the regime has not yet given its approval, but the matter remains under review.

Another Syrian source said it is likely that the Russian presence in southern Syria will be included in the security agreement between Israel and Syria. In recent days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Israel has not opposed a Russian foothold in the Syrian arena in the past. During Assad’s rule, Israeli-Russian coordination in Syria was at its peak.

Last month, Syrian President Ahmad al-Shaara met with Putin. According to al-Shaara, in the new Syria, “we are trying to renew political and strategic relations with all the countries of the region and the world, foremost among them Russia.”

The Russian delegation’s visit and the meeting with Putin come amid growing dissatisfaction among extremist Islamist factions in Syria toward al-Sharaa, driven by the rapprochement he is pursuing with the United States – especially following his recent visit to the White House and Syria’s decision to join the international coalition against Da’esh (ISIS).