Syria seeks help from Russian patrol service to defend itself from Israel

The Syrian transitional government has asked Russia to resume military police patrols in the country’s southern provinces, Kommersant reported, citing sources.

The initiative is aimed at deterring Israel, which occupied part of southern Syria in December 2024. According to Damascus, the Russian presence “will reduce the intensity of Israeli operations.”

The return of Russian patrols to the northeast has already been recorded in the Al-Qamishli region.

Before the change of power in Syria, Russian patrols were used to deter pro-Iranian groups, which was partly in Israel’s interests. Tel Aviv previously advocated maintaining Russian bases in Tartus and Latakia, which could serve as a counterweight to Turkish influence.