Media reports suggest south Syria trade-off

Russia accepts Israeli demand that pro-Iran militias be held back from occupied Golan

Russia and Israel have reportedly reached a deal that would allow Bashar Al Assad’s forces to take remaining rebel territory in southern Syria, as long as Iranian troops do not participate in the offensive.

Moscow appears to have capitulated to Israeli demands to hold Tehran-backed militias 15 miles back from the occupied Golan Heights, according to Israeli and Saudi reports.

In return, Israel will not stand in the way of any Syrian regime offensive on the city of Dara’a and territory along the Israeli and Jordanian border.

Russia said on Monday that only Syrian army troops should be on the country’s southern frontier, which appeared to be directed at Tehran.

The deal is said to have been finalised in a phone call days earlier between Avigdor Lieberman, the Israeli defence minister, and Sergei Shoigu, his Russian counterpart.

It averts possible direct confrontation between Iran and Israel in Syria, where tensions have heightened between the foes in recent months.

Growing rift

At the same time, it reveals a growing rift between Moscow and Tehran, which back the same side in the conflict.

According to Israeli sources, Russia has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s presence in Syria and is worried that fighting between Israel and Iran threatens its victories. Iran is estimated to have thousands of advisers and fighters in Syria as well as a number of bases, which have become regular targets for Israeli attacks.

Dara’a is an obvious next target for Al Assad.

The only other major rebel stronghold, in Idlib in the north-west, is fraught with complications because of the presence of Turkish troops.