Israel the big winner in Syria – Putin

The main beneficiary of the crisis unfolding in Syria is Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said, commenting on the incursion by the Israeli army into the neighboring country after the fall of Bashar Assad’s government.

Speaking at his annual end-of-the-year press conference on Thursday, Putin stressed that while Israel’s national security concerns are understandable, Russia strongly condemns any capture of Syrian territories, referring to Israel’s recent advance into the Golan Heights and beyond.

“One can have any attitude towards what Israel is doing,” but “Russia condemns the seizure of any Syrian territories.” Putin said. “This is obvious. Our position here is firm,” he added.

At the same time, Putin acknowledged that Israel is resolving issues related to its national security, and expressed hope that West Jerusalem would eventually withdraw its forces from Syrian territory.

However, Putin noted that so far, Israel is only sending more troops across the border and raised concerns that they not only don’t intend to leave the area, but are apparently planning to occupy the Golan Heights.

“The local population has even recently submitted a request to be annexed to the Jewish State,” Putin said, pointing out that this creates a whole other issue, and that the question of the disintegration of Syria would have to be solved in accordance to the UN charter, which gives nations the right to self-determination.

Following the collapse of the Assad government, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes against Syrian ports, airfields, and arms depots, and advanced its troops past the demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explained that the Jewish State cannot allow jihadi groups to fill the vacuum that was created on the Syrian border and threaten Israeli communities on the Golan Heights.

Since then, the Israeli government has also approved a plan to double the Jewish population of Golan Heights and strengthen the region. “We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it,” read a statement from the Israeli head of government.