Israeli Reaction To The Partial Russian Military Pull-Out From Syria

Russian military jets fly above unidentied location after taking off from the country's air base in Hmeymin, Syria to head back to Russia, part of a partial withdrawal ordered by President Vladimir Putin, in this still image taken from video March 15, 2016. REUTERS/RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE VIA REUTERS TV

Reuters: Russia seeks to reassure Israel over Syria pullout plan

A Russian diplomat sought to reassure Israel on Tuesday that its security would not be harmed by the winding down of Moscow's intervention in the Syrian civil war, but Israel's armed forces chief said the ramifications were not yet clear.

Israeli officials have privately said Russian forces sent in last year to help Syrian President Bashar Assad turn the tide against a now five-year-old rebellion also served to restrain his anti-Israeli allies - Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia.

Israel was further helped by a hotline to the main Russian airbase at Hmeymim in Syrai, which let it continue covert strikes to foil suspected Hezbollah or Iranian operations against it on Syrian turf without fear of accidentally clashing with Moscow.

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WNU Editor: The conventional wisdom is that Israel was caught off-guard .... but I am unsure. The Russian - Israel relationship is very tight .... if the decision was made last week and/or over the weekend .... Israel would have found out. My guess is that Israel had a good idea that Russia was going to withdraw some of its forces .... they just did not know when.

More News On Israeli Reaction To The Partial Russian Military Pull-Out From Syria

Russia’s Syria withdrawal caught Israel by surprise -- Times of Israel
Surprised by Russia's Withdrawal From Syria, Israel Gets Assurances -- Haaretz
Russian diplomat says Syria pullout won't affect Israel's security -- Times of Israel