The Israeli military and intelligence are assessing whether the withdrawal of pro-Iran militias from several locations in Syria is tactical or a redeployment or a result of a strategic decision taken in wake of pressure on Tehran, said an informed Israeli source.
A senior Israeli commander has stated that the pullout was the result of Tel Aviv’s raids against these locations to thwart Iran’s entrenchment in Syria.
Observers were surprised with the remarks as Israel often does not comment on its operations in Syria.
The source did not rule out the possibility that the withdrawal may be tied to American and Russian pressure on Iran.
It said the Americans are negotiating with Tehran over its nuclear deal and every once in a while make proposals to compensate for their pullout from the region.
The Russians, for their part, want to consolidate Syrian president Bashar Assad’s regime and believe that the activity of the Iranian militias is prompting the Israeli raids that in turn are undermining Damascus’ authority and stability.
An Israeli military official told local media on Thursday that a number of militias have pulled out from Syria, including Iranian ones and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Israel’s Kan radio said the pro-Iran factions had been dealt a “heavy blow” in the recent Israeli strikes.
The withdrawal was noted in military positions in Damascus, Aleppo, and the vicinity of Masyaf city in the western Hama countryside.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel had carried out around 25 strikes on Syria since the beginning of the year.
Since the eruption of the Syrian conflict in 2011, it has perhaps carried out hundreds and even thousands of attacks on its neighbor to counter Iran’s entrenchment.
