Report: Russia Urged Syria Not to Retaliate After Alleged Israeli Airstrike

Ynetnews reports: Russia has urged Syrian President Bashar Assad not to retaliate against Israel after an airstrike on the country’s Scientific Studies and Research Center, which the Syrian regime attributes to Israel, a senior Russia official dealing with Middle East affairs told Yedioth Ahronoth in an conversation in Moscow over the weekend.

The official said Moscow advised Syria and Hezbollah “not to respond and concentrate on the big picture.” The official also noted Russia is aware of Israel’s concerns of Iranian entrenchment in Syria, reassuring Moscow will make sure to prevent Tehran from establishing a foothold in the Golan Heights significant enough to pose a threat to Israel.

“If Hezbollah and Iran overstep their bounds in their involvement in Syria, we will suppress them,” the official said, adding that Russia is “aware of Israel’s concerns. They were made clear at the last meeting between (Russian President) Putin and (Israeli Prime Minister) Netanyahu.”