Russian-Israeli coordination in Syria includes air, sea, land and cyperspace

At the time when Israel is getting ready for the first coordination meeting with Russia over their joint intervention in Syria, Israeli military sources have confirmed the existence of consensus within Tel Aviv’s decision making circles over the importance of the continuation of the Assad regime.

Military affairs commentator Alon Ben-David quoted a source within the Israeli Joint Chiefs of Staff as saying: “Although no one in Israel can say this publicly and explicitly, the best option for Israel would be for the Assad regime to remain and for the internal fighting to continue for as long as possible.”

In an article published in Maariv newspaper on Sunday, the military source pointed out that the continuation of the Assad regime, which enjoys international recognition, relieves Israel of the burden of direct intervention and of deep involvement in the ongoing war. He noted that Israel agrees with both Russia and Iran on this matter.

Within the same context, the Walla news website disclosed on Sunday that the first meeting to be convened by the joint Russian-Israeli armies’ coordination committee in Moscow after six days will have a list of major issues on its agenda.

The website pointed out that the committee, which will be chaired by the vice chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in both armies, will discuss field coordination in the air, sea, on land and in cyberspace.

The website explained that there is already a Russian understanding of an Israeli request to work with absolute freedom throughout Syria, especially in the regions where the Russians are stationed and more specifically with regard to all matters pertaining to attacks on weapons convoys heading from Syria to Hezbollah.

It went on to say that Israel will request the Russian army not activate the air defences along the Syrian coast, bearing in mind that the only aircrafts likely to be flying there would be either those that belong to the Syrian regime or those that belong to Israel.

The website noted that coordination within the field of electronic cyberspace is extremely important for the Israeli army since the Israeli navy is keen to ensure that the electronic activities of Russian aircrafts and ships do not have a negative impact on strategic Israeli submarines that are active opposite to the Syrian and Lebanese coasts.

Israel Today newspaper disclosed last week that the submarines carry out espionage operations and collect intelligence in addition to transporting special units that carry out operations outside the Palestine borders.

On the other hand, Israeli right wing writer Caroline Clegg has called for the employment of intelligence in bolstering Israeli-Russian cooperation in Syria. She stressed that Israel should never hesitate to provide the Russians with the necessary intelligence to help them in their fight against opposition Syrian forces.

In an article published in the Friday edition of Maariv newspaper, Clegg pointed out that contrary to what the Russians claim, their intervention in Syria is not aimed at targeting Daesh but primarily at targeting the armed opposition forces that threaten the very existence of the Syrian regime close to the coast.

She also stressed that the Russians will find “the appropriate way to pay Israel back for its help” by assisting it in serving its interests inside Syria.

Translated from Arabi21, 28 September 2015.