Israel could be ‘temporary allies’ with Daesh against Iran

A new report released yesterday by an Israeli intelligence bureau has suggested that in confronting Iran, the interests of Daesh and Israel could converge, making them temporary allies, according to the Jerusalem Post.

The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre emphasised that there was no formal alliance between Israel and the so-called Islamic State, but said that after Daesh has fallen as a state, both would target Iran and Hezbollah militants in Syria.

According to the report, Daesh “will likely change its combat patterns and revert to guerrilla tactics and terrorism following the end of the campaign against it in Iraq, and may carry out hit-and-run attacks against Iranian vehicles moving along the land.”

As to the relationship between Iran and Israel, the report echoes the government’s statements on the danger Iran poses, particularly via the aid that will be given to Hezbollah that Israel believes will be used to create terror networks in the Golan Heights.

“The Iranian presence in Syria increases the likelihood of friction with Israel and may lead to an escalation between the two countries at a timing that is not suitable for Iran,” the report read.

Read: Khamenei: Collapse of Daesh is defeat of US

The common enemy between Israel and Daesh may result in strategies merging as both seek to limit Iranian influence in the region.

Whilst Israel has regarded Daesh militants as a major threat until now, it has not disapproved of the strikes launched against Iranian forces by IS.

Daesh has lost swathes of its territory in Syria and Iraq this year, including its most prized possession, Mosul. In Syria, it has been forced back into a strip of the Euphrates valley and surrounding desert, with a declaration of complete victory expected imminently.

As the risk the group poses to Israel falls, the government seems to be willing to tolerate the existence of fighters as long as it serves their national interests.

Read: Official: Israel to destroy Iran facilities near Syria border