Israel alarmed by Russia’s military buildup in Syria

Israel is greatly concerned by the arrival of a Russian carrier that can detect all military movements in Israel, essentially exposing all Israeli military activities and can convey the information to hostile parties, such as Iran.

Israel’s military command is wary of the growing Russian military presence in Syria and the Mediterranean, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to send troops and advanced military hardware to support Bashar al-Assad’s battle for survival.

The London-based Asharq Al Awsat in a Wednesday report quoted Israeli political sources in Tel Aviv who said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conveyed his concerns to Putin.

The subject was also discussed during a meeting held between Russian and Israeli officials at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

Sources said that Netanyahu talked with Putin ten days ago and asked him to renew the conditions of the military coordination between the countries, as agreed upon during Netanyahu’s visit to the Kremlin last September.

The sources are also quoted as saying that Israel Air Force commander Amir Eshel visited Moscow to discuss military issues.

Senior Israeli officers in both the Air Force and Navy consider the growing Russian role in the Middle East as dangerous, and fear that a clash between Russia and Israel is only a matter of time.

Israelis have focused their fears on the arrival of Russian aircraft carrier the “Admiral Kuznetsov” to Syria’s shores. The ship includes 1,900 soldiers and carries 50 advanced warplanes, in addition to a wide range of cutting-edge weapons. The carrier is also able to detect all military movements in Israel, essentially exposing all Israeli military activities and can convey the information to hostile parties, such as Iran.

While Russia has announced a few months ago that it intends to withdraw its military forces from Syria, it has in fact increased the number of its forces with additional ground troops, aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles, drones, and ballistic missiles that can hit any target in Israel.

Moreover, the S-300 and S-400 missile systems will soon be available in Egypt, Syria, Russia, India, and Iran.

The Russian Defense Ministry spokesman has clearly declared that the Russian forces will target any unknown body which may threaten Russian or Syrian forces.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

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