Israeli concern over US-Russia tension in Syria

THE DEPLOYMENT of a new Russian air defence system to Syria and the possibility of a clash between Moscow and Washington in the region is worrying Israel’s security establishment.

For nearly six years now, Israel has avoided being sucked in by the war raging on its northern border, while preserving its prerogative to operate in Syria according to its interests. However, a showdown between Russia — with which Israel has reached a series of quiet arrangements — and its main ally, the US, could change this.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Vladimir Putin reached an agreement on “deconfliction” between Israeli and Russian forces last October. This included a hotline between Israel Air Force headquarters and the Russian air base in Syria, which hasbeenusedtocoordinateoperations. In one case at least, a Russian warplane inadvertently crossed the Israel-Syria border, but the incident was swiftly defused.

Meanwhile, despite Russian air cover over much of Syria, Israel has reportedly continued to carry out reconnaissance patrols in air space to the north east, and launch attacks on Hizbollah convoys and other targets. These included the air strike in December 2015 on a building in Damascus, in which Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar was killed. Israel has not taken specific responsibility for these strikes but Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Israel is acting to secure its interests in Syria.

The S-300 air defence system which Russia deployed last week to Syria is seen as a precaution against possible US attempts to attack Assad regime targets or impose a no-fly zone. It may also make it more difficult for Israeli aircraft to operate, and embolden Hizbollah to smuggle more arms to its arsenals in Lebanon.