MESOPOTAMIA NEWS : Russian forces go deep in Iranian zones of influence: conflict, agreement, messages, for whom?

Russia pursuits its ally Iran to the Syrian-Iraqi border, following doing the same on the southern border of Syria with Israel, and against the background of competition and differences talk, and leaks about an undeclared agreement between the two parties, pro-Russian forces deployed in the city of Albu Kamal and established points, in the halfway between Tehran and the Mediterranean, so what is the truth?

WORLD-Middle East 29 Dec 2020, Tue – 06:19 2020-12-29T06:19:00 NEWSDESK – YAHYA AL-HABIB  ANASAYFA NEWS

In a sudden move, the forces of the Russian-backed Fifth Corps deployed at several points on the Syrian-Iraqi border near the city of Albu Kamal<span “=””>. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, on December 17th, received some points from the pro-Iranian factions such as Harakat al-Nujaba, the Iraqi Hezbollah and al-Abd.

The SOHR stated at the time, this came after an unannounced Russian-Iranian agreement, the features of which were not clear, in addition to that it came a week after the opening of an office for the Russian forces in the city of Albu Kamal.

In late 2017, the Damascus government forces, supported by the pro-Iranian factions, took control of the border city with Iraq, after battles with ISIS mercenaries backed by the Russian air force.

Factions control.

Since that time, this city enjoyed stability, and the pro-Iranian factions have been subjected to dozens of raids by unidentified aircraft, in which the fingers pointed to the US-led international coalition against ISIS and sometimes Israel.

The city is of great importance to Iran, as it includes the only land crossing connecting the three countries (Iran – Iraq – Syria), to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Russia’s pursuit of Iran did not start in Albu kamal, but rather in southern Syria, where the Iranian forces were present.

And tension escalated in the Syria’s south, due to Russia’s attempt to weakens Iran’s influence, in implementation of pledges it made to both the United States and Israel, according to many reports.

In 2018, Israeli media reported that Russia and Israel, after months of diplomacy, reached an understanding that Iran and Hezbollah should be kept away from Israel’s northern border with Syria, and this coincided with a visit by the Israeli Defense Minister to Russia.

According to a report in the Jerusalem Post (Monday, May 28, 2018), Israel and Russia have agreed to allow the Syrian government forces control southern Syria up to the border with Israel, and Iran and Hezbollah will not be allowed to be part of the process<span “=””>.

In September 2018, after Tel Aviv-Moscow crisis after a Russian plane accidentally crashed off the coast of Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, revealed the details of the Russian-American understandings<span “=””>.

<span “=””>”All the pro-Iranian forces and their heavy weapons have been withdrawn from the Golan Heights to a safe distance for Israel, about 140 kilometers east of Syria,” he said.

He added that 1,050 soldiers and 24 rocket launchers and tactical missile systems had withdrawn from this area, as well as 145 units of weapons and other military equipment<span “=””>.

On June 25, 2019, the United States, Russia and Israel held a security summit in Jerusalem, during which they agreed to ensure Israel’s security.

Despite this, the south is experiencing tension, and talk of a dispute between Russia and Iran comes out, especially after the Iranian-backed 4th Division re-emerged on the scene following the establishment of the pro-Russian Fifth Corps.

‘Russian arrangements before the new US administration takes over‘

The writer and political analyst specializing in Russian affairs, Raed Jabir, spoke in this context to ANHA News Agency, saying: “All the latest Russian moves on the ground are intended for establishing new field arrangements, in wait for the new US administration to take power next month.”

Jabir explained that “Moscow wants to impose a fait accompli, whether in the south, or the eastern regions in Albu Kamal, as we have seen, to have cards to negotiate with the new US administration,” stressing that “there is a Russian vision that a comprehensive dialogue can be started despite all the files.” There is a dispute between the two sides, but for that Moscow first wants to absorb any chance of widespread friction, for example in the south, Israel and Hezbollah or the forces loyal to Iran, or in the east. ”

On the existence of an Iranian-Russian rivalry, he said: “Of course, there is competition, over the past years, we have seen it in various fields, economically and securely, by controlling the security services, military teams, and so on.”

A Russian message to Washington‘

And he added: “Rather, the issue of al-Bukamal, there is Russian-Iranian coordination to reduce the possibility of a clash with the United States, through Russia’s presence in this region, so the deployment took place in direct coordination with the Iranian side.”

He continued: “There is a clear message from these arrangements to the American side and other parties, which is that Russia is able, in one way or another, to control the Iranian presence in Syria. I am not saying ending the Iranian presence in Syria but rather controlling, as it is not.” There will be dangerous contact points that could lead to confrontations. ”

Russian summoning the new US administration to the talks’

Andrei Choprigin, a Russian academic and professor at the School of Orientalism at the Higher Economic University, spoke to ANHA agency about the deployment of pro-Russian forces in Albu kamal, and said: “Russia does not comment on the deployment of government forces in the countryside of Albu kamal.”

He added: “According to the following information, we can conclude that the deployment of the Fifth Corps took place after the meeting between the Russian and Syrian Foreign Ministers, where the necessity was tightened to work towards easing external sanctions on the Syrian state.”

He explained, “It seems that the steps in this direction started from shortening the Iranian presence in Syria, or at least putting an end to this presence, as one of the arguments for imposing US sanctions on Syria.”

The Russian academic said, “The visualizations of this measure – which puts an end to the Iranian presence on the Iraqi borders – could be considered a step to summon the new US administration to practical talks about the Syrian crisis>.”

What does Russia want from Iran in Syria<span “=””>?

On the future of Russian-Iranian relations, the specialist on Russian affairs, Raed Jabir, confirmed that it is a document and said: “Moscow links all files in a clear way. It cannot back down in its position on the nuclear agreement, and wants to resume this agreement and defend Iran in international forums.”

He added, “At the same time, in Syria, it will not enter into a confrontation with the Iranians, there is a specific area of influence for each party; Iran will remain a partner as the case with Turkey. Russia wants to maintain this axis.” Despite all the discrepancies in this axis, Russia seeks to preserve it, because it is the effective mechanism for passing and completing its policy and preparing for the next stage that could witness a political process