Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday, the need to preserve the “territorial integrity” of Syria, a week after Israel interfered with violence in the south of the country.
In a statement, the Kremlin said that Putin “in particular stressed the importance of supporting the unity, sovereignty of Syria and its territorial integrity, and enhancing its internal political stability.” The two sides also discussed the last confrontation between Israel and Iran, and Putin expressed “in preparation for contributing by all means in seeking negotiating solutions regarding the Iranian nuclear program.”
With regard to the situation in the Middle East, “(Putin) repeated his position, which did not change in favor of a peaceful settlement of problems and conflicts in the region,” according to the Kremlin. Bloody violence erupted between Druze and Al -Beddas in mid -July in the Syrian province of As -Suwayda, before the battles expanded with the intervention of government forces and Bedouin fighters.
Under the slogan “Protection of the Druze Minority”, Israel bombed the presidential palace and the General headquarters of the Syrian army staff in Damascus. Moscow still maintains two military bases in Syria, the first in Tartous, and the second in Hmeimim in the northwest of the country, despite the overthrow of its ally, former President Bashar al -Assad.
Moscow is also a major partner for Iran, as Israel launched a war in mid -June, targeting military and nuclear sites, before Washington announced a ceasefire between the two countries after 12 days.
