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Russian Mediation to Ease Tensions in Northeastern Syria

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks with Guatemala's Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo during their meeting in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2021. (Reuters)
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks with Guatemala's Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo during their meeting in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2021. (Reuters)
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Russian Mediation to Ease Tensions in Northeastern Syria

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks with Guatemala's Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo during their meeting in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2021. (Reuters)
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks with Guatemala's Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo during their meeting in Moscow, Russia June 24, 2021. (Reuters)

Moscow has launched diplomatic efforts with various parties to contain a possible military escalation in northeastern Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met on Saturday with a delegation of the Syrian opposition, while information circulated about a visit that would be carried out by the Syrian Democratic Council (SDF) to Moscow on Tuesday to hold talks with the FM regarding developments in northern Syria, and the possibility of Turkey launching a new military operation in the region.

In a statement, the Russian foreign ministry said that Lavrov focused on solutions to the Syria crisis in talks with Ahmed al-Jarba, the head of the Syrian opposition movement Peace and Freedom Front.

“During the conversation, they exchanged views on the development of the situation in and around Syria with an emphasis on the need to promote the political process based on Resolution 2254 of the United Nations Security Council, including through establishing a sustainable constructive intra-Syrian dialogue in various formats,” the statement said.

“Russia has reaffirmed its continued support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and also emphasized the need for intensified international efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria and the country’s post-conflict reconstruction,” it added.

Following the meeting with Lavrov, the Syrian delegation held extensive consultations with Deputy Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, with whom they discussed in detail the current developments in Syria.

Russian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this meeting were part of intensive Russian efforts to contain a military escalation in northern Syria, as Turkey’s allied forces brought in reinforcements to the countryside of Hasakeh and Raqqa.

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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.