Moscow Confirms Removing Iranian Troops 85 km from Golan

The border crossing between Syria and Jordan. AFP
The border crossing between Syria and Jordan. AFP
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Moscow Confirms Removing Iranian Troops 85 km from Golan

The border crossing between Syria and Jordan. AFP
The border crossing between Syria and Jordan. AFP

Moscow, taking a decision to go into discussions over Iranian presence in southern and southwestern Syria, announced on Wednesday an agreement being struck with Iran for its forces to withdraw to a distance of 85 km from from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

“As we took into account the Israeli concerns, we managed to attain the pullout of Iranian units 85 kilometers from the Israeli-(Syrian) border,” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev said.

Lavrentiev’s announcement comes a day after Russia’s ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov firmly declaring that the border area would be free of Iranian presence.

Moscow’s moves translate into it taking solid but incremental steps towards resolving debate over Russia's ability to place pressure on Iranian forces and successfully pull them out from some of Syria’s terrain.

Lavrentiev stressed that the agreement on Iranian forces retreating from former positions in the Syrian south comes under the auspices of Russian efforts and is both upholding and implemented.

Moscow has preserved a balance of relations with both sides (Iran and Israel), a well-informed Russian diplomat working on relations with Iran told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Iran is an important partner of Russia in a number of issues, and we are not exerting pressure on any party, but we seek to reach understandings that meet the interests of all parties,” he added while speaking under the condition of anonymity.

The diplomat went on saying that it was Russian efforts which realized a notable compromise, despite the strong opposition they faced by Israel, which was demanding the exit of Iranian forces from all Syrian territory.

Elaborating on Israel’s desire for an Iranian full exit, the diplomat said that Moscow can’t and doesn’t wish to exert pressure to achieve such a demand.

“That the relationship with Iran in Syria is a partnership in the fight against terrorism,” he added.

On another note and stretching a good 375 km, the Syria-Jordan border crossing remains closed despite Syrian authorities claiming that it is clear for operations.

“The road to the Nassib border crossing with Jordan, closed since 2011 because of war, is now operational,” Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hamoud said.

However, Damascus received no request from Jordanian authorities so far on reopening the crossing, he added.



Lebanon: Mysterious Evacuation Calls Renew Fears of Israeli Strikes

A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)
A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)
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Lebanon: Mysterious Evacuation Calls Renew Fears of Israeli Strikes

A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)
A Lebanese soldier secures participants during a marathon in Beirut last week (AP)

A wave of anonymous phone calls urging residents to evacuate buildings in southern and eastern Lebanon sparked fresh panic on Saturday over potential Israeli attacks. Though the threats later proved to be unfounded and traced to local sources, the incident unfolded amid heightened tensions and the continued presence of Israeli military aircraft in the skies above South Lebanon.

According to local media reports, Lebanese citizens in the town of Tammine in the Bekaa Valley (eastern Lebanon) received phone calls urging them to evacuate a residential building. Security forces immediately launched an investigation into the origin of the calls, while residents evacuated the building as a precaution.

After coordination with Lebanese security agencies, authorities confirmed the caller was Lebanese and the threat lacked credibility. Legal measures were initiated against the individual responsible for the hoax threat.

Security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the calls were made from within Lebanese territory, and the numbers are being tracked using technical means. “We are monitoring these calls and pursuing those responsible,” a source said.

This incident is the latest in a series of similar events. Over the past few months, especially during the expanded conflict along the Lebanon-Israel border, hundreds of Lebanese citizens have received anonymous calls warning of imminent strikes, spreading fear across communities.

Lebanese authorities have arrested around 20 individuals linked to these threats. Security officials noted that during periods of active conflict, Lebanon’s military intelligence identified coordinated foreign campaigns - some linked to Israel - aimed at inciting fear among the population.

“These calls were part of organized external efforts, and in some cases, the Lebanese army’s intelligence managed to trace and neutralize them by blocking digital access points used to relay such messages,” a security source explained. “They were indeed causing panic among residents.”

Residents, particularly in southern Lebanon, say they have no choice but to treat such calls seriously. Israel has occasionally issued official warnings ahead of attacks, as seen in two incidents in Beirut’s southern suburbs after a ceasefire agreement took effect. However, in other instances, Israeli aircraft have carried out strikes without warning, further fueling concern among civilians and prompting widespread caution.

Saturday’s panic was further heightened by intensified Israeli aerial activity over southern Lebanon. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported low-flying Israeli fighter jets over the villages and towns of Tyre district, as well as over Jezzine and the eastern sector of the south.

Local activists also reported Israeli drones flying at low altitude above the Litani River basin. One drone reportedly dropped two sound bombs over the Wadi al-Asafir area in the town of Khiam.