The main beneficiary of the crisis unfolding in Syria is Israel according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian leader was commenting on the incursion by the Israeli army into its neighboring country after the fall of Bashar Assad’s government.
Putin stressed that while Israel’s national security concerns were understandable, Russia strongly condems the capture of any Syrian territories, referring to Israel’s recent advance into the Golan Heights and beyond.
He also said that Russia hoped Israel would, at some point, leave Syrian territory, but “I have the impression that not only are they not going to leave, but they are going to reinforce there”.
RT reports: 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.