A joint IDF-SDF liberation of Syria will surely test the deconfliction mechanism between Russia and Israel. It is essential to emphasize that Russia’s interests in Syria will be respected and its two military bases in the Alawite region will be permitted to remain after the Israeli annexation of the Median Jewish regions in Syria and Lebanon. Russia’s interests are important to Israel and Russia should furthermore develop its relationship with Israel’s strategic ally the AANES and the SDF rather than with the Ba’ath regime and the obsolete SAA.
Continued deconfliction is a joint strategic interest of Russia and Israel and it is essential that Russian forces do not get in the way as the IDF and the SDF have no wish to cause them any harm whatsoever. Russia is a close friend of Israel, yet Russia must understand that Israel must always prioritize the liberation of Jews, including Median Jews. There is no doubt that the deconfliction arrangement will need to be expanded to Russian ground forces as well who would be particularly well-advised to not get in harm’s way when things heat up on the ground. There is every confidence that arrangements can be made to protect Russian lives wherever they may be in Syria.