​​​​​​​Russian forces in Golan, fearing of tensions on border with Israel

Tensions have recently escalated in the region after the assassination of the head of Iran's nuclear program, Mohsen Fakhrizadah two weeks ago, and Iran accused Israel of carrying out the attack.

Today, the Israeli newspaper "Israel Hayom" reported that Russia had deployed its forces in the Golan on Syrian territory "to prevent any Israeli attack," according to its claim.

According to an official statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Russian Ministry of Defense, Moscow has decided to send its forces to the Golan Heights, and Russian forces will patrol directly with the Syrian soldiers on the Bravo Line, which currently separates the Syrian and Israeli forces in the region.

A Russian brigade commander told the Russian RIA Novosti Agency that joint exercises are currently taking place between the Russian and Syrian armies.

The Russian military official said: "The main purpose of these exercises is to train in evacuation operations, tactical reinforcements, and repel enemy attacks, and our mission is to monitor the ceasefire, demonstrate the Russian military presence and protect the Russian army."

Sending Russian forces comes after a visit held by the new Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Al-Miqdad to Iran last week, and he received support from Iran which promised him to restore all Syrian lands, including the occupied Golan.

The announcement of Iranian support came again after the demonstrations witnessed in the occupied Golan and Israel use of force to disperse the demonstrations of the Druze who rejected an Israeli plan to install wind electricity generating towers in the region.

On the other side inside the Syrian territories, the Russian-Iranian conflict continues to influence southern Syria, as Iran and Hezbollah seek to recruit young men fleeing conscription, and include them into armed groups loyal to it, while Russia which has committed to protecting Israel seeks to reduce Iranian influence in the region.

These moves coincide with the Iranian mobilization in the region and the approaching first anniversary of the killing of the Quds Force Commander, Qassem Soleimani, in an American raid in early January, near Baghdad Airport, and the possibility that Iran would respond to the killing of Fakhrizadeh.

Any Iranian attack on Israel from southern Syria would complicate the task of the Russians who are trying to fulfill the promises made to Israel to protect its security and distance Iran from its borders.

D.H