Israel was supporting against Turkey: Claims that Russia and Syria have reached an agreement to protect military bases

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The US press reported that Syria's interim President Ahmed Shara has demanded the cancellation of credit agreements made with Russia and compensation for the destruction caused by the war. Russia, in turn, has offered to provide diplomatic and financial support in exchange for the protection of the bases.

Russia viewed the Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus Naval Base in Syria as a critical part of its military access in the Middle East and Africa. During the Assad regime, these bases became the center of Russia's military operations in the region. However, with the fall of the Baath regime in Syria, the future of the bases remains uncertain.

According to a Reuters report, the new Syrian administration wanted to renegotiate the lease agreements for the bases. While Ahmed Shara demanded compensation for Russia's contribution to the destruction in Syria, he also conditioned this on Moscow's complete withdrawal from the country. The report stated that Shara, a former Al-Qaeda militant, might agree to the bases remaining in exchange for diplomatic support and financial aid as a result of the negotiations.

Assad's return to Syria was also brought up during the talks. However, the Russian side did not make any commitments regarding Assad's return. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov hinted that the obstacles to rebuilding relations with the new administration in Syria could be overcome.

BARGAINING BETWEEN SYRIA AND RUSSIA

In a high-level meeting held in Damascus on January 29, the Syrian side requested that Russia cancel its foreign debt, estimated to be between 20 and 23 billion dollars. Furthermore, the return of Syrian funds allegedly transferred to Moscow during the Assad regime was demanded. The Russian delegation denied the existence of these funds.

In a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), it was stated that an agreement between Russia and the Shara government was 'very close.' It was noted that while US troops are present in northeastern Syria, Turkish forces in the north, and Israeli troops in the south, ''Russia is determined to protect its only naval base in the Mediterranean.'' The Tartus Base was of vital importance for Russia to maintain its military and diplomatic presence in the region.

It was stated that Russia could pay 'war reparations' to the Shara administration in exchange for protecting its bases in Tartus and Hmeimim. Sources who spoke to the WSJ on condition of anonymity shared the information that the agreement between Russia and Syria was nearing completion. No statement was made regarding whether the US had contacted the Damascus administration to keep the Russian bases open.

ISRAEL SUPPORTED RUSSIA AGAINST TURKEY

It has been alleged that Israeli officials have begun lobbying the US due to their concerns over Turkey's growing influence in Syria. It was reported that Israel has made requests to US officials in this context to take various steps to limit Turkey's influence in the region.

According to a report reflected in the press on March 1, it was noted that Israel requested that Russia's military bases in the country remain open in order to reduce Turkey's influence in Syria. Israeli officials conveyed to their US counterparts that a new Syrian administration supported by Turkey could pose a threat to Israel's security. In this framework, it was alleged that the issue was discussed during meetings held in Washington in February and in meetings with US Congressional representatives in Israel.

According to claims in the foreign press, Israel was conducting lobbying activities to ensure that Syria remains weak and distant from a central authority. In the document prepared in this direction and referred to as a 'white paper,' the effects of Turkey's activity in Syria on Israel's security were detailed. The information contained in the document was presented to high-level US officials.

FİDAN AND LAVROV MET

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the Syria issue in his meeting with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. While no concrete result on Syria emerged from the meeting, Russian officials continued their contacts with the new government in Syria.

The civil war in Syria has caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of 13 million people. The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia announced that 400 billion dollars are needed for the reconstruction of the country.

Russia, while not accepting responsibility, stated that it could offer humanitarian aid. In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the bases could be used as humanitarian aid distribution centers.

News Source: 12punto