Putin warns Netanyahu not to threaten Syria

President Putin reportedly tells Prime Minister Netanyahu not to threaten Syrian sovereignty

By World Israel News Staff

Moscow revealed that in a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Russian leader “underscored the principal importance of observing the sovereignty of Syria and called for holding back from any actions that would further destabilize the situation in this country [Syria] and present threats to its security.”

The Russians, along with the Syrians and Iranians, hold Israel responsible for the recent attack on the T-4 airbase near Homs, in which a drone launch site and command center was destroyed and several ranking Iranian military personnel were killed.

Israel has not accepted responsibility for the operation although the Israeli government has long made it clear that it would not allow Iran to establish a permanent military presence in Syria.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office regarding the phone call, Mr. Netanyahu took the opportunity to reiterate this point to President Putin. Any attempt by Iran to install its military in Syria is considered an unassailable red-line for the Jewish State.

The phone call between the two leaders comes a day after President Trump tweeted that missiles “will be coming” to Syria in response to the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime against the city of Douma. Russian military officials announced this morning, that Syrian government forces have taken control of the city and surrounding areas, bringing to an end the bitter battle for one of the last rebel-held enclaves.