Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is redeploying military forces in Syria and restricting the movement of Iranian forces, Walla news reported, citing a top security official.
The Iranians no longer have access to anywhere they want in Syria, the official added, indicating that Assad aims to limit any issues between the forces and Syrians to establish stability.
Assad is aware that stabilizing the country is crucial for rebuilding and attracting foreign investments, he added.
Iran continues to smuggle weapons to Syria, however, it is in a more limited manner now due to fears of Israeli strikes and the targeting of Iranian officers.
He added that they "think twice before transferring people or weapons.”
Meanwhile, Walla reported that the Israeli army does not rule out the possibility of a security incident from the Syrian or Israeli side or on the border between the two countries.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, said when he was defense minister that Iran began withdrawing its forces from Syria without providing any evidence to support his assertion.
“Iran is significantly reducing the scope of its forces in Syria and even evacuating several bases,” said Bennett, adding that although Iran has begun the withdrawal process from Syria, “we need to complete the work. It’s in reach.”
Bennett also urged his successor, Benny Gantz, to maintain pressure on Iran, adding that the trend might otherwise reverse.
In May, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that Israeli tanks destroyed a Syrian army post near the border with Israel in the first operation since Bennett became prime minister.
It stated that the Israeli army suspected that Hezbollah operatives recently used the site.
The Israeli air force launched raids on several areas in and around Damascus and Homs, Hama, and Latakia governorates, killing members of the regime forces and groups loyal to them.
