Putin and Netanyahu mark Iranian bases in Syria for removal to 80km from Israeli border

Marking the Iranian bases in Syria to be distanced from the Israeli border took up most of the nearly five hours Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spent in Sochi this week with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu. In their intensive deliberations over large maps on Thursday, Sept. 12, the leaders were assisted by the Russian-speaking Israeli Minister Zeev Elkin, National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, IDF Intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Tamir Hayman and OC Operations Maj. Gen. Aharon Havilah.

The Israelis sat down with Gen. Shoigu for more than an hour and-a-half, after which Netanyahu visited Putin who greeted him by saying: “I understand you had an excellent meeting with Shoigu and we shall talk about this later.” The prime minister replied that the bond between Moscow and Jerusalem “had prevented unnecessary and dangerous friction between their countries,” and “I can say without reservation that it is a fundamental component of regional stability.”
What was discussed in their three-hour long conversation?

DEBKAfile’s military and intelligence sources report that, in recent weeks, Putin has focused on redistributing Iranian forces in Syria by pulling them back to an 80km line from which they no longer pose a threat to northern Israel. He was persuaded to take this course by three considerations:

  1. He adopted the Netanyahu line which urges the removal of Iranian military forces from Syria, because he believes it will provide him with a bridge on which to strengthen his political and military cooperation with President Donald Trump.
  2. While Moscow and Washington are at odds on key issues such as US sanctions against Russia and disarmament, especially of intermediate nuclear weapons, Putin believes they have common ground in Syria, which can be expanded, thereby bolstering Russian military ascendancy in that country, to which he attributes supreme importance.
  3. The Russian leader is convinced that his close ties with Netanyahu will help him promote his case in Washington.

In recent weeks, our sources report that Russian forces, under orders from the president, have been pushing Iranian Al Qods Brigades and pro-Iranian Shiite militias out of bases within a m 80km radius from the Israeli border. Putin is therefore finally making good on the pledge he gave Trump at Helsinki in July 2018 to remove the Iranian military presence in Syria to that line.

He procrastinated on that pledge for 14 months for two reasons:

  • Defense ministry circles in Moscow and the upper echelons of the Russian contingents in Syria disagreed with this course and evaded his order on various pretexts. Putin decided against imposing his will in this internal dispute.
  • Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and sections of the ministry staff were strongly against going against Tehran in the Syrian arena.

However, in recent weeks, the Russian president has taken up the cudgels and is forcing his will on the dissenters in the defense and foreign ministries, and keeping them under his eye.

Our intelligence sources disclose that all Iranian requests to the Russian command for permission to move soldiers into bases inside the 80-km adjacent to the Israel border were rebuffed.  The Russian officers also cancelled meetings with their Iranian counterparts to discuss the deployment of Iranian forces and proxies at the new air and naval bases going up in Syria.

These steps provided the context for Shoigu’s announcement on Sept. 3 that the Russian air and naval bases at Khmeimim in Latakia and the port of Tartous were to be upgraded since, “The tasks of protecting, preserving and maintaining the combat readiness of weapons and special equipment of the Russian military contingent [in Syria} are now in the forefront.” In other words, the Russian army was the dominant military power in Syria and Iran could forget about its longstanding hope of gaining a preeminent foothold.

Putin’s affection for Netanyahu and Israel’s special standing in the Kremlin were amply manifested by his willingness for them to spend three hours together with their aides in studying the map of Iranian locations and reaching agreements on which bases would stay, which would go and what weapons the Iranians would be allowed to deploy.

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50 thoughts on “Putin and Netanyahu mark Iranian bases in Syria for removal to 80km from Israeli border

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 13:10 at 13:10
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    What will happen when Putin, Trump and Netanyau exits the stage?….amagadon?

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:10 at 15:10
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      Trump, Putin, and Netanyahu will defeat the Red-Green global alliance, and peace will follow.

      • Sep 13, 2019 @ 20:59 at 20:59
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        Ben-Israel… Not Sure Defeat is the Right Word but Change is Better!

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 17:36 at 17:36
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      Robert… Good Question But What if Netanyau, Trump, & Putin & Stay until 2024 while Khamenei Exits Global Stage ?

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 18:38 at 18:38
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      Iran must leave Syria, period.

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 21:21 at 21:21
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      We still waiting for crushing response to hizballah that debka promises two weeks ago

    • Sep 16, 2019 @ 0:23 at 0:23
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      When Trump and Netanyahu go, then the Gog-Magog war (Ezekiel 38,39) will take place.

    • Sep 18, 2019 @ 12:48 at 12:48
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  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 13:24 at 13:24
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    10.50,100,500, 1000 or 80 km?? Fact is they are still here and not gone.So the bombing raids will continue!!! So much to do about nothing.

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:16 at 15:16
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      Rome wasn’t built in a day. The mere fact common ground is being explored between Israel and Russia against radical Islam is cause for great hope.

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 20:00 at 20:00
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      An 80 mile Iranian free zone is a good first step as long as Israel does not fall for Hezbollah wearing Syrian military uniforms inside the 80 mile zone. From what I have read, this is a first step to getting Iran out of Syria. Let’s be clear: Netanyahu is doing an awesome job of getting the USA and Russian leaders to adopt his perspective. This is the ONLY arena where the USA and Russia agree.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 14:20 at 14:20
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    The most important thing was that they could speak together. The rest is semantics.

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:07 at 15:07
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      Netanyahu or wizard of the diplomacy, same thing!

      • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:17 at 15:17
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        When you speak for yourself, and your country, rather than on behalf of an administrative shadow state, with its contorted set of interests, its a lot easier to gain trust and make progress in diplomacy.

        • Sep 15, 2019 @ 7:08 at 7:08
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          Say – who?? ?

        • Sep 15, 2019 @ 14:41 at 14:41
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          When you have an Almighty G-d backing you up it does not hurt at all.

      • Sep 13, 2019 @ 17:51 at 17:51
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        Yasmine is Wise…. Mideast Trend Lines: 1. Russian Defense Ministry Do Not Want Damages Relations with Israel that Can Sell Arms to Ukraine & Georgia! 2. Moscow Does Not Want Tehran Acquire Nukes! 3. Both Fear Iranian-American New Nuclear Agreement. 4. Moscow Seizes Opportunity of Iranian-American Hostility will Side with Iran unless Israel is attacked. 5. Moscow Continues to Improve Relationship with Iran’s Rivals Turkey, Sunni Arab States, & Israel.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:15 at 15:15
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    When shaking hands with Putin, check to be sure all your fingers are still intact.

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 18:35 at 18:35
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      MahmoodGoatboy… It was Stalin was quoted, “Churchill Is The Kind Of Man Who Will Pick Your Pocket For A Kopeck If You Don’t Watch Him. Yes, Pick Your Pocket Of A Kopeck! By God, Pick Your Pocket Of A Kopeck”!

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:29 at 15:29
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    Not everything can be said … Jerusalem and Washington are lucky to negotiate with Vladimir Putin … Crimea is a good gift for the Kremlin and the work of the Russian president in
    Syria is impeccable. Our most serious problem is Lebanon … It is very difficult to make the decision to destroy Lebanon … It is not known which is better, if killing the chicken or the egg … crushing the Persians will be applauded by Russia and China … But Lebanon suggests a war too broad and devastating … In any case, Russia will collaborate with Washington and Jerusalem.
    Donald Trump doesn’t care, China …
    War stuff …

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 18:02 at 18:02
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      Phil-Beck… Agree All Good Points, & JerUSAlem & rUSsiA Together Will Decide Future of Mideast over iRAN Shiia Regime!

      • Sep 16, 2019 @ 21:11 at 21:11
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        I belive in Perisan power which lasts longer then RuSSia and USA together. In the past, the Persians were friendly to the Jewish people. There are many examples in history and in the Bible.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:31 at 15:31
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    Good cop, bad cop. Works every time.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 15:46 at 15:46
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    Sitting and talking beats the heck out of foxholes and bullets flying.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 16:05 at 16:05
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    bibi is good at diplomacy , but he should read his bible ezekiel 38& 9 to know gog `russia ` is disliked by god & will finally stab Isreal in back by arriving in n. isreal … russian s speak in russia about this

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 16:15 at 16:15
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    What happens if Trump does not win in 2020 and the President is a progressive democrat who cares less about Israel?

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 16:39 at 16:39
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      Then Jew hating moves from the back of the bus up front next to the driver of the bus.

      • Sep 13, 2019 @ 16:56 at 16:56
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        Agreed, and thank you RJ for the explicit and accurate language. The much overused term “anti-se—-ism” is really not accurate, and does more to polarize than describe.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 17:04 at 17:04
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    Too little, too late, Bibi ! Your impotent, hypocritical (albeit eloquent) “promises” are turning off even your
    staunch supporters in Israel. About “achievements” with V. Putin: 80 or 800 km. from the border makes little
    difference for the real military aspirations of the ayatollahs…

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 17:26 at 17:26
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    Russian Imperial, Communists & Putin have opposed Iran Monarchies while Russian-Israeli Immigrated Population opposes Iranian Theocracies over Israel Rights to Self-Existence. Israel is much like America it has Worldwide Judaism Citizenship now in Israel & still in Iran from Ancient Times as well.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 17:52 at 17:52
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    This article sounds like FAKE NEWS. We clearly aren’t getting the whole story here. Other news outlets provide more data in terms of the big picture.

    Russia has their own long-term interests in Syria (and the region for that matter).

    Iran also has their own security interests in Syria / Lebanon / Iraq.

    Syria has publicly welcomed and approved the presence of friendly Iranian, Lebanese, and Iraqi forces in their country.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 18:18 at 18:18
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    Yosef… After Bibi the Lion of Judea, there awaits Former Justice Minister Ayelet Ben Shaul Shaked, to Lead Yamina Party much in the Tradition of Queen Esther to Protect Judaism Existence just like Golda Mabovitch Mier, Born in Kiev & Grew Up In America & Protected Israel!

    • Sep 13, 2019 @ 19:01 at 19:01
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      Do not forget Caroline Glick…who just may be the second coming of Golda Mier!

      • Sep 13, 2019 @ 21:09 at 21:09
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        Agree, The More Daughters of Abraham the Better for Israel as well

        • Sep 13, 2019 @ 23:31 at 23:31
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          Baruch Avraham, Yitzchak and Yakov!

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 19:15 at 19:15
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    Hopefully Bibi will be re-elected if for no other reason than that he has excellent relations with the two most powerful nations in the region and that can afffect Israel.

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 20:28 at 20:28
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    It is sad that Mr. Netanyahu has to get Putin’s OK to protect Israel from its sworn enemies!

  • Sep 13, 2019 @ 22:12 at 22:12
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    Where do you think the money for rebuilding Syria is going to come from? Putin is looking towards the new found crude oil deposit in the Israeli Golan. Thus Israel beware of Russian plans.

  • Sep 14, 2019 @ 4:31 at 4:31
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    who said Iran is going to obey Russians?! if that would be the case. There was no Iranian in Syria. With most of Syrian military age men in Europe, the Syrian army is mainly manned by Iranians and this article is just laughable. Iran is there for ever and will never leave. Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen are all Iranian provinces. You better get used to it.

  • Sep 14, 2019 @ 7:35 at 7:35
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    Lately I hear a lot the now obsolete stance of “Iran must leave Syria”, when the alliances are forged and most of the details agreed for the 2 state solution. People with this attachment to “x to leave” should rather say “Iran must leave” or even better “Iran must leave Persia”.
    The half north of the old Iran goes to Russia, a small est chunk to Turkey and the half south to the Arabian Kingdom.
    Anyhow Iran was too large a country to be governed by the middle ages mullahs regime.
    In place of this there will be Персидская Республика, and Arabian Kingdom.

  • Sep 14, 2019 @ 18:26 at 18:26
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    So you guys think Israel will be able to stop the drone attacks like Saudi Arabia has failed on multiple occasion, the worst having happened yesterday, and it’s only a 10 drone attack?

    Good luck with your modified US weaponry.

    • Sep 14, 2019 @ 22:48 at 22:48
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      Israel is not Saudi Arabia in tactical military operation, historically their achievements are spectacular.

  • Sep 15, 2019 @ 8:14 at 8:14
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    The Jerusalem Post is reporting that the Binny-Vlad talks actually ended in failure. That, Netanyahu or the Israeli government, itself, asked for permission to attack countless targets over the past months and into the future, and Putin turned him down. He even warned Netanyahu that the Russian military would defend its interest in the Near East against any more significant Israeli strikes. DEBKA is obviously reporting something different. So, what’s the real story, here?

  • Sep 15, 2019 @ 8:50 at 8:50
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    Nothing will occur it’s all whitewash

  • Sep 15, 2019 @ 12:23 at 12:23
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    Do you know how to tell if Putin is lying?
    His lips are moving.

  • Sep 16, 2019 @ 17:36 at 17:36
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    The Real meeting to focus on is not between Putin and Netanyahu it is between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkeys President Erdogan, and Iranian President Rouhani! You can tell the most about a leader by his friends and allies!

Comments are closed.