Israeli PM Netanyahu Will Meet Russian President Putin On February 21 For First Formal Talks Since Syria Downed Russian Plane

Putin and Netanyahu. Marc Israel Sellem/Flash 90

RFE: Netanyahu, Putin To Meet To Discuss Iran's Presence In Syria

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow later this month for talks on Iran's presence in Syria, the Israeli leader has said.

The February 21 talks will focus on Israel's efforts to prevent Iran from "creating another front against us right here on the other side of the Golan Heights," Netanyahu said on February 5.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow.

If confirmed, the talks will be Netanyahu's third meeting with Putin since July 2018.

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WNU Editor: Iran will be on the top of the agenda for this meeting.

More News On Israeli PM Netanyahu Meeting Russian President Putin On February 21

Israel's Netanyahu to meet Putin in Moscow this month -- ABC News
Netanyahu to Meet Putin in Moscow for First Time Since Russian Plane Downed -- Haaretz
Netanyahu to meet Putin in Moscow -- Arutz Sheva
Netanyahu and Putin to meet in Moscow on Iranian threat in Syria -- JTA
Netanyahu to meet Putin for first formal talks since Syria downed Russian plane -- Times of Israel

Report: Israel And Russia Have Agreed to Push Iran Away From The Israeli-Syrian Border

Putin and Netanyahu at the "Victory Day Parade" at Moscow's Red Square on Wednesday. Image source: Reuters via Newsweek.

Times of Israel: Israel, Russia said to reach secret deal on pushing Iran away from Syria border

Reported agreement will see Israel consent to return of Assad's army to Syrian Golan Heights, in exchange for Russia ensuring no Iranian or Hezbollah troops there.

Israel and Russia have reached a secret agreement to distance Iranian forces from the border area in southern Syria, Israeli TV reported Monday, as Jerusalem and Moscow sent differing messages regarding the extent of their tolerance for Iran’s military presence in that country.

Under the apparent agreement coming together, Israel will accept the return of Syrian regime soldiers to the border on the Golan Heights, in exchange for Russia guaranteeing there are no Iranian or Hezbollah forces in the area, Hadashot TV news reported.

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WNU Editor: It looks like both Russia and Israel are reading form the same script ....

Israel, Russia agree to boot Iran and Hezbollah from northern border -- Jerusalem Post
Only Syrian army should have presence in south, say Russia and Israel -- Middle East Monitor
Netanyahu says Iranian forces need to be kept out of all of Syria -- Times of Israel
Only Syrian army should be on country's southern border: Russia -- Reuters
Russia: Only Syrian forces should be stationed on Israel border -- Al Jazeera

Update: Speaking of timing .... Israel's Defense Chief to Visit Russia, Discuss Iran and Syria With Counterpart (Haaretz)

Russian President Putin And Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Meet In Sochi For Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Sochi, Russia August 23, 2017. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS

Reuters: Netanyahu to Putin: Israel may act to curb Iran's clout in Syria

SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday that Israel was prepared to act unilaterally to prevent an expanded Iranian military presence in Syria as Moscow works to end the civil war there.

Russia intervened on behalf of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2015, joining a de facto alliance with Iranian forces, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Shi'ite Muslim militias helping Damascus beat back Islamic State and other Sunni Muslim insurgent groups.

Israel worries that an eventual Assad victory could leave Iran with a permanent garrison in Syria, extending a threat already posed from neighboring Lebanon by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

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More News On Today's Talks Between Russian President Putin And Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israeli premier airs concerns to Russia about Iran expansion -- ABC News/AP
Netanyahu denounces Iran 'threat' in Putin talks -- AFP
Netanyahu to Putin: Iran's Role in Syria is a 'Threat' -- VOA
Netanyahu tells Putin growing Iranian influence 'unacceptable' -- The Times of Israel
Netanyahu to Putin: Iran want to take over Syria -- Ynetnews
Israel's Mossad Submits Report Detailing Iran's 'Growing Influence in Syria' -- Asharq Al-awsat
Netanyahu meets Putin to share secret intel on Iran threat -- The Times of Israel
Israeli PM Netanyahu Claims Iran's Actions in Syria Pose Global Threat -- Sputnik
Israel Wants Seat at Table as Powers Seek End to Syria War -- Bloomberg

A Putin - Netanyahu Summit At Sochi Tomorrow

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a September 2015 meeting in Moscow. Photo: www.kremlin.ru.

Algemeiner: Netanyahu and Putin to Hold Syria Talks, Amid Iranian Threat

JNS.org – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in the Russian resort city of Sochi to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

The issue of Iranian forces attempting to establish a permanent military presence in Syria — right on Israel’s northern border — is reportedly high on the agenda for the upcoming meeting.

Iran’s activity makes “an open channel of communication between Israel and Russia even more important than it was some years ago,” Professor Eyal Zisser, a senior research fellow at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, told JNS.org.

Putin and Netanyahu have held five other bilateral meetings during the past two years to discuss regional issues — and to help maintain a protocol that prevents friction between the Israeli and Russian air forces when they operate over Syrian airspace.

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More News On What To Expect From Tomorrow's Putin - Netanyahu Meeting in Sochi

Netanyahu to discuss Iran's 'aggression' with Putin -- AFP
'We will discuss Iran's attempt to establish itself in Syria' -- Arutz Sheva
Netanyahu to warn Putin not to cross red lines -- The Jerusalem Post
What Israel's Netanyahu Wants From Moscow -- Seth J. Frantzman, Moscow Times

A U.S. - Russia ceasefire Will Put Russian Military Forces Near The Israeli Border

An IDF soldier looks into southern Syria from the Israeli side of the border. Photo: IDF via Wikimedia Commons.

Yossi Alpher, Forward: The Trump-Putin Syria Ceasefire Puts Russia On Israel’s Border

The United States, Russia and Jordan, with Israel’s acquiescence, recently negotiated a ceasefire among warring parties in the southwest corner of Syria, an area bordering both Israel and Jordan. Presidents Trump and Putin announced the achievement at their Hamburg summit, and it took effect July 9.

On the face of it, an end to the killing anywhere in Syria is a good thing. If stray shells and bullets no longer “leak” into the Israeli Golan, that, too, is obviously welcome news. And if this step offers a model for additional ceasefires throughout Syria and enables refugees to return home, that is a move in the right direction for the entire Middle East.

But there is far more to this ceasefire than a mere cessation of hostilities next door. By augmenting Russia’s capacity to affect Israel’s strategic interests, it could have far-reaching consequences.

While the U.S. is a party to the ceasefire agreement, it will not be involved in policing it. That task apparently falls to Russia. This could place Russian combat troops, dubbed “military police” for protocol purposes, across a narrow boundary divide from the Israel Defense Forces patrolling the Golan.

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WNU Editor: If a ceasefire is to hold in south-east Syria, Russian forces will be instrumental in policing the peace. Is this acceptable to Israel .... for some I will have to say no (see below links) ....

Analysis Syria Cease-fire: Israel Will Have to Live With Russian Dominance on Its Border -- Zvi Bar'el, Haaretz
Iran, With Russian Help, Threatens Israel From Syria -- Algemenier
Russian troops for Quneitra in defiance of Israel -- Debka

Hat tip to Fred for this story.

Syrian UN Ambassador: Russia Told Israel That Its Freedom To Act Over Syria Is Over

Russian President Vladimir Putin receives a letter of credence from Israeli ambassador to Russia Gary Koren during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, March 16, 2017. REUTERS/Maxim Shipenkov/Pool

Haaretz: Syrian UN Envoy: Putin Sent Message to Israel That Its Freedom to Act in Syria Is Over

Ambassador Bashar Jaafari says Syrian use of anti-aircraft missiles against Israeli fighter jets also sends another message to Jerusalem.

Russia has sent a clear message to Israel that the rules of the game have changed in Syria and its freedom to act in Syrian skies is over, Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Sunday night.

“Putin sent a clear message,” said Bashar Jaafari, speaking on Syrian television. “The fact is that the Israeli ambassador [to Russia] was summoned for a conversation only a day after he submitted his credentials [to the Russian Foreign Ministry last Thursday], and was told categorically that this game is over.”

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WNU Editor: We know that the Israeli ambassador to Russia was summoned in Moscow to explain Israel`s air strikes this weekend .... Russia says summoned Israel's Ambassador over Israeli strike in Syria: agency (Reuters). More here .... Russia summons Israeli ambassador to explain air raids in Syria (The Guardian). But Israel is denying reports that Moscow told Israel to halt its airstrikes in Syria .... Netanyahu denies Russia told Israel to halt airstrikes in Syria (Times of Israel). More here .... Netanyahu refutes Syrian claims that Russia told Israel to halt strikes in Syria (i24news). But even with these denials Syrian Presdient Assad has faith that Russia will assist his government in stopping these Israeli airstrikes .... Assad: Russia has 'important role' in preventing Israel-Syria clash (The Times of Israel). But this is where it gets interesting .... apparently Iran is blaming Russia for giving Israel the codes to Syria`s air defense systems .... Report: Iran accuses Russia of giving Israel codes for Syrian air defenses (Jerusalem Post).

Putin - Netanyahu Summit In Moscow -- News Roundup

FOX News: Netanyahu meets with Putin, raises red flags on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin Thursday, and warned about the dangers of Moscow's encroaching ally, Iran.

Greeting Netanyahu at the start of their Kremlin negotiations, Putin emphasized the high level of trust between them. This is Netanyahu's fifth trip to Moscow in the past 18 months, and it follows his talks last month with President Trump.

In a joint photo-op before the meeting, Netanyahu praised Russia's role in fighting the Islamic State terror group and other radical militants in Syria. But he also raised strong concern about the presence of Iranian and Hezbollah forces in Syria.

"One of the things that we are fighting together is radical Islamic terrorism," Netanyahu said as he and Putin sat down for talks.

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More News On Today's Putin - Netanyahu Summit In Moscow

Putin hosts Netanyahu for talks set to focus on Syria -- AP
Putin urges Netanyahu to focus on present Iran ties -- AFP
Netanyahu Warns Putin On Iran's Growing Influence In Syria -- RFE
Netanyahu discusses Syria with Putin -- YNet News
Netanyahu tells Putin that Iran must not replace IS in Syria -- The Times of Israel
Netanyahu Tells Putin Israel Would Object to Any Permanent Iranian Presence in Syria -- Haaretz
Netanyahu turns to Putin for help containing Shiite influence -- DW
Putin and Netanyahu: A complex diplomatic dance -- Jonathan Marcus, BBC

It Was A Russian Drone (Not Hezbollah) That Crossed Into Israel

Illustrative photo of a UAV, June 2010. (Ofer Zidon/Flash90)

Times of Israel: Russia, not Hezbollah, sent drone into Israel — report

Three weeks after IDF failed to bring down UAV that crossed over from Syria, Moscow officials acknowledge it was theirs.

The drone that crossed into northern Israel last month belonged to Russia — not Hezbollah, as was initially suspected — the Haaretz newspaper reported Sunday.

The unmanned aerial vehicle entered Israeli airspace from Syria on July 17. The Israel Defense Forces attempted to shoot down the aircraft three times, but failed.

Israel’s security services initially suspected the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah was responsible for the breach; however, Russian officials admitted to their Israeli counterparts that the drone was, in fact, theirs, the newspaper reported.

While the Russian officials claimed the incident was the result of “human error,” it is possible the Russian military was testing Israel’s aerial defense capabilities.

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WNU Editor: Drones do not cross a border and then fly back because of an error .... especially in a conflict zone. They were testing Israeli defenses.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu In Russia To Meet President Putin (3rd Trip Since September)

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, May 14, 2013. Reuters

RFE: Netanyahu To Meet Putin In Third Russia Visit In Recent Months

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to arrive in Moscow on June 6 to meet President Vladimir Putin, his third visit to Russia since September.

Netanyahu's office said in a June 5 statement that the two leaders would discuss "regional issues, including those pertaining to the fight against global terror, the situation in Syria and its surroundings, and the outlook for the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians."

It added that the trip comes as Russia and Israel mark the 25th anniversary of the resumption of their diplomatic relations.

Netanyahu and Putin met in Moscow in April and discussed coordination between their militaries in Syria.

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More News On Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu In Russia To Meet President Putin

Netanyahu set for third Russia visit in recent months -- AFP
Netanyahu heads to Russia as ties with Moscow strengthen -- Arutz Sheva
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday -- JP Updates
Netanyahu meets Putin as war nears Israeli border -- The Times
Netanyahu Heads to Moscow to Consolidate Coordination on Syria -- Asharq Alawsat
Russia, Israel to sign documents on bilateral cooperation — lawmaker -- TASS
Netanyahu: Close Relations With Russia Benefit Israeli National Security -- Sputnik

Isaeli Paper: Russian Forces In Syria Fired At Least Twice On Israeli Military Aircraft

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 21, 2016 (Courtesy)

Reuters: Russian forces in Syria fired on Israeli military aircraft: newspaper

Russian forces in Syria have fired at least twice on Israeli military aircraft, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek improved operational coordination with Moscow, Israel's top-selling newspaper said on Friday.

The unsourced report in Yedioth Ahronoth gave no dates or locations for the incidents nor any indication Israeli planes were hit. Russia mounted its military intervention in Syria in September to shore Damascus up amid a now 5-year-old rebellion.

Separately, Israel's Channel 10 TV said a Russian warplane approached an Israeli warplane off the Mediterranean coast of Syria last week but that there was no contact between them.

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WNU Editor: Russia is denying these reports .... Kremlin: Reports on Russian fighter jets firing at Israeli aircraft far from reality (TASS)

More News On Reports That Russian Forces In Syria Fired At Least Twice On Israeli Military Aircraft

Russian Forces In Syria Fired At Israeli Military Aircraft At Least Twice: Report -- IBTimes
Russian military in Syria fired at Israel's air force aircraft twice, report claims -- RUDAW
'Russian forces fired on Israeli jets at least twice' -- Times of Israel
Near-clash of Israeli-Russian planes over Syria -- Debka
Report: Russian fire at Israeli aircraft sparked PM's Moscow trip -- Israel Hayom
Netanyahu, Putin met amid reports of aerial incidents over Syria -- YNET News
Kremlin: Reports on Russian fighter jets firing at Israeli aircraft far from reality (TASS)
Kremlin denies reports on Russian forces' fire on Israeli planes in Syria -- Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meets Russian President Putin In Moscow To Discuss Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, April 21, 2016. Alexander Nemenov, Reuters

Bloomberg: Netanyahu Seeks Putin's Assurance Over Syria in Moscow Visit

* Kremlin trip follows declaration that Israel will keep Golan
* Asks Putin to help keep sophisticated weapons from Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Moscow seeking closer military cooperation in Syria to ensure Russia’s force reduction there doesn’t leave Israel’s northern frontier vulnerable to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

In a brief appearance with reporters at the Kremlin before their formal meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Israeli leader he was “very happy that we have regular contacts at the highest level,” saying discussions were intense because of “the difficult situation in the region.”

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More News On Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Meeting Russian President Putin In Moscow To Discuss Syria

Netanyahu, Putin tweak military coordination as Syria conditions change -- Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu to Putin: Formation of terror front in Golan a red line -- i24 News
Netanyahu tells Putin: The Golan is a red line for Israel -- YNet News
Netanyahu Tells Putin in Moscow: Golan Heights Is a 'Red Line' for Israel -- Haaretz
Netanyahu, Putin hold cordial meeting in Moscow, with Syria at center stage -- Debka
Netanyahu: Putin meeting secured IDF operational freedom -- Arutz Sheva
Israeli PM to discuss with Russia's Putin closer military coordination -- Reuters
Bibi's meeting with Putin draws mixed reactions on social media -- Al Bawaba

King Of Jordan: Jordanian And Israeli Fighter Jets Confronted Russian War-planes Near The Border

Members of the Royal Jordanian Air Force rushing to launch an F-16 Fighting Falcon, May 12, 2014. SSGT BRIGITTE N. BRANTLEY (US AIR FORCE/AFP/FILE)

Haaretz: Israeli and Jordanian Jets Confronted Russian Warplanes on Syrian Border, King Says

'The Russians were shocked and understood they could not mess with us,' says Jordanian King Abdullah, adds that Jordan 'spoke on behalf of Israel' with Russia.

Israeli and Jordanian fighter planes jointly confronted Russian air force jets over the southern Syrian border, according to a briefing by Jordan's King Abdullah to senior members of the United States Congress.

The date of the confrontation was not disclosed during Abdullah's meeting in Washington on January 11. The incident was reported by Middle East Eye, who said it had seen an account of the meeting.

According to the report, the Russian planes were on a mission to survey Israeli defenses on the Syrian border. "We saw the Russians fly down, but they were met with Israeli and Jordanian F-16s, both together in Israeli and Jordanian airspace," Abdullah said.

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Update #1: Jordanian and Israeli jets confronted Russians near Syria border (Middle East Eye)
Update #2: Jordan's King Abdullah says Jordanian, Israeli planes confronted Russians: report (i24 News)

WNU Editor: This incident (apparently) happened before January of this year.

Israeli PM Netanyahu Will See Putin But Not Obama

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu And Russian President Putin

Times Of Israel: Netanyahu to visit Kremlin to talk security, Putin tells Rivlin

President Reuven Rivlin and Vladimir Putin hold a short press conference before they meet in the Kremlin, with Putin saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also visit Moscow soon to discuss defense issues.

“The ties between our countries are based on friendship and mutual understanding,” Putin says, according to Haaretz. “Israel has 1.5 million Russian citizens who speak Russian and have Russian culture. The number of Russian tourists visiting Israel is rising every month.”

Rivlin tells Putin the Jewish people remember how Russia saved them in World War II.

“Today, we also both face terror and fundamentalism,” Rivlin says, according to Haaretz.

The two leaders are slated to hold a short private meeting before a working dinner, both closed to the press.

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Update: Russia's Putin says will meet Israeli PM Netanyahu soon (Reuters)

WNU Editor: This is very revealing .... Israeli PM Netanyahu has no time for President Obama .... Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Has Cancelled His Trip To Meet President Obama, but Netanyahu has time to fly to Moscow to meet President Putin. Sighhh ... more signs on the decline of U.S. influence and power.

Russian Delegation Meets With Israeli Leaders To Discuss Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Mikhail Fradkov (L) and Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov in Moscow, Dec. 19, 2015.Reuters

Haaretz: Russian Envoy Secretly Visits Israel for Talks on Syria

Alexander Lavrentiev and large Russian delegation meet senior Israeli officials, discussing potential UN-backed diplomatic talks to end Syrian civil war.

Russia’s special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, visited Israel secretly last Thursday, where he held talks with senior Israeli officials regarding international contacts over a potential diplomatic agreement to end the Syrian civil war.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution a week ago on launching UN-backed negotiations between Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime and members of the opposition and rebel groups. Israel did not object to the resolution publicly. However, there is concern in Jerusalem that an international agreement over Syria will strengthen Iran and Hezbollah.

Update #1: Russia envoy on Syria secretly visits Israel (Arutz Sheva)
Update #2: Russian Envoy Visited Israel on Dec.24 to Discuss Syrian Settlement (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: I am not optimistic on what these talks will accomplish. There are major differences among all the sides in this conflict that finding a compromise formula is (in my opinion) next to impossible.

Israel Defense Minister: Russian Military Jet Violated Israeli Airspace

Russian pilots ready a Su-30 fighter for a raid at Hmeimim aerodrome in Syria. Reuters File

Haaretz: Israeli Defense Minister: Russia Also Violated Our Airspace

The incident was 'an error' and marks the only failure so far in military coordination between the two countries over Syria, Moshe Ya'alon said.

Military coordination between Israel and Russia over Syria broke down once, said Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Sunday.

Speaking on Israel Radio, Ya’alon said that despite Israeli and Russian efforts to coordinate military operations in Syria, on one occasion a Russian plane penetrated Israel's airspace by one mile. Ya'alon said that Israel immediately made contact and the plane immediately returned to Syrian airspace.

He defined the incident as an “error," caused by the pilot’s flying in close proximity to the Golan Heights. The Israeli and Russian air forces have been conducting talks in recent months, regarding coordination measures that will prevent “misunderstandings” when their military forces, particularly the air forces and navies of both countries, operate in the theater.

More News On The Israeli Defense Minister's Remarks That A Russian Military Jet Violated Israeli Airspace

Russia sometimes breaches Israeli air space, top defense official reveals -- Times of Israel
Israel says Russian jet breached airspace without incident -- CBS/AP
Minister: Russia Plane Entered Israel Control Zone From Syria -- Defense News/AFP
Ya’alon: Russian jet recently breached our airspace, wasn’t shot down -- Times of Israel
Israel says it averts shooting Russian planes with communication -- The Guardian/AP
'No need to shoot': Israel reveals Russian warplane ‘crossed’ into its control zone from Syria -- RT
Russian plane enters 1.5 km into Israel from Syria, retreats after communication -- IBTimes
Analysis: Israeli Army Avoids Poking Russian Bear With a Stick - Amos Harel, Haaretz

Could Russia And Israel Clash In Syria?

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu And Russian President Putin

Michael Peck, National Interest: A Horrific Thought: Could Russia and Israel Clash in Syria?

Moscow's intervention in Syria has put Russian forces on Israel's doorstep. Though Israel and Russia have set up a hotline to avoid any conflicts, there remains a possibility--however remote--that Israeli and Russian forces may clash.

It won't be the first time. During the War of Attrition between Israel and Egypt in the early 1970s, Soviet pilots supporting Egypt engaged in dogfights with Israeli jets, only to see the vaunted MiGs blasted out of sky.

This time might be different.

So what might a Russian-Israeli conflict look like? It is actually easier to say what such a conflict would not look like. It would not be a war because there is no reason for war: Russian and Israel do not have territorial designs on each other, neither is out for regime change, and both have nuclear weapons. A Russian war with Israel would inevitably drag in Israel's big brother, the United States.

WNU Editor: It is not going to happen .... at least not on purpose. There are also over one million Russian Jews in Israel ... who also have family in Russia. Russia's Jewish population has also traditionally supported Putin, and are a critical part of his politicalr base.

Israel Using Its Spy Satellites To Keep A Close Eye On Russia In Syria

Satellite imagery dated Oct. 3, 2015 shows extensive Russian presence in Latakia International Airport. Four Sukhoi-34 advanced strike fighters on taxiway. (Photo: ImageSat International)

Defense News: Israeli Spy Sats Keep Sharp Eye on Russian Forces in Syria

Provide Persistent Updates on Efforts to Fortify Assad Regime

TEL AVIV — Israel’s high-resolution eyes in space are keeping close track of Russian efforts to fortify the flailing regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as evidenced by imagery obtained by Defense News from just one satellite.

Images captured earlier this month from the Eros-B, a dual-use imaging satellite owned and operated by ImageSat International, reveal high operational tempo at Latakia International Airport, where Moscow has based some 12 Su-25 fighters, a similar amount of Su-24 bombers, 16 Mi-35 attack helicopters and a small amount of Su-30 and Su-34 aircraft.

Outsized Antonov 124 and Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft are seen offloading additional cargo, all of which is protected by at least one SAM-22 surface-to-air missile system.

In an image dated Oct. 10, support vehicles and open cockpit canopies indicate high levels of alert while another image taken on the same day shows a foursome of Su-30 attack fighters in so-called fast launch positions at the end of the runway.

WNU Editor: This is interesting .... Israel quiet over 'hotline' with Russia on Syria (Reuters).

Lebanese Report: Russian Jets Blocked Israeli Fighters Over Lebanon Two Weeks Ago

YNet News: Report: Russia blocks Israeli jets over Lebanon

Lebanese newspaper claims Israeli jets turn back after confrontation with Russian aircraft over northern Lebanon.

Russian forces warned Israel over IAF flights in Russian controlled airspace near the Syrian–Lebanese border area after Israeli jets were detected nearby, according to a report Friday in the Lebanese media outlet As Safir.

The report comes a mere day after Russia announced that it had established a "hotline" with Israel in order to coordinate aerial activity over Lebanon and Syria.

As Safir quoted Lebanese diplomatic officials who were "in the know," as saying that the warning was issued after Russian radar identified Israeli aircraft approaching Russian-controlled airspace two weeks ago.

WNU Editor: Apparently this altercation occurred two weeks ago. If true .... it occurred a week after Russian - Israeli Generals met and agreed to meet in the future to coordinate their air operations .... The Russian - Israeli Military Alliance Over Syria. And if the timeline is correct, after this Russian - Israeli altercation over Lebanon, they then sat down to work out the details .... Russia - Israel Begin Military Coordination Talks On Syria.

Hat Tip to RH who gave me a heads-up on this story.

Russia And Israel Have Established A Syrian 'Hotline'

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, on Sept. 21. Russia on Sept. 30 began a campaign of aerial bombardment against targets in Syria. PHOTO: REUTERS

WSJ: Russia and Israel Establish Syria 'Hotline'

Russian military says training is under way between the two countries’ military personnel to avoid potential clash

MOSCOW—The Russian military has set up a “hotline” with the Israeli military to avoid an inadvertent clash in Syrian airspace, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

In a statement released Thursday, the Russian military said its command center at Hmeimim air base in Syria had established a link with a command post of the Israeli air force, and that training was under way between Israeli and Russian military personnel.

“The first stage of training was conducted yesterday on cooperation between Russian air forces and the Israeli air force to avoid dangerous incidents in the sky above the Syrian Arab Republic,” the statement said.

Update #1: Russia-Israel ‘hotline’ to prevent aerial clashes in Syria -- Times of Israel/AFP
Update #2: Russia Announces Syria 'Hotline' with Israel -- Haaretz

WNU Editor: This should be the template for Russia and the U.S. led coalition .... but such an agreement is taking time .... Officials: U.S. and Russia close to agreement on Syria flights (CNN).

Russian Generals Go To Israel To Hold Talks With Israeli Generals On Coordinating Syrian Operations

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot (left) with Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army General Valery Vasilevich Gerasimov, September 21, 2015. . (photo credit:IDF)

Defense News: Israel, Russia Conclude First Round of Deconfliction Talks

Mull Downgrading Level of Follow-on Talks to Ensure Discretion

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel and Russia concluded their first round of talks Wednesday toward establishing "a joint mechanism for preventing misunderstandings" between respective forces operating in Syria, with follow-on talks likely to be downgraded to lower echelon officers to ensure discretion, sources here said.

Officially, both sides are keeping uncharacteristically mum on the outcome of the two-day visit here by Nikolai Bogdanovski, deputy chief of staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and his counterpart and host, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan.

WNU Editor: The next meetings will be in Moscow .... Russian, Israeli General Staff Members to Meet on Syria in Moscow (Sputnik).

More News On Russian - Israeli Cooperation On Syria

Russia and Israel Quietly Collaborating on Attacks in Syria -- Jewish Press
No progress reported from first Israel, Russia deconfliction meeting -- IHS Janes's 360
Israel, Russia seek mechanism to coordinate army activities -- Zee News
Analysis Israel's Hushed Military Ties With Russia Now Paying Off -- Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz