Fri 05 June 2020:
Tension surfaced between Moscow and Damascus on Wednesday on the backdrop of the Syrian government disregarding the decision on the return of Iranian forces to important sites.
Earlier, Russia and Syria agreed on limiting the access of these forces to such zones.
Sources stated that Moscow has once again found itself in front of a Syrian failure to meet its previous pledges and agreements. They noted that Iranian forces and Tehran-affiliated groups showed up in a compound near Damascus International Airport—this zone is dubbed “The Glass House” and consists of 180 rooms.
Moscow requested earlier that Syria curbs Iran’s presence in the region, especially after Israel’s airstrikes against the Airport.
The Glass House was formerly used as a center to manage the Iranian forces’ operations, then was evacuated upon a Russian-Syrian agreement. Later on, Moscow pledged to reconstruct the compound and was planning on investing in this field.
Following the Russian-Syrian agreement, forces loyal to Iran held several meetings at this compound. They continued to use it for various purposes including providing treatment for the COVID-19 cases in a field hospital that was built there.
Moscow had laid plans to invest in the Damascus International Airport along with the surrounding areas. From here, Russia was keen that the Iranian forces exited the zone to avoid it being a target for Israeli airstrikes.
Yet, the Iranian presence near the airport isn’t the only reason behind Moscow’s frustration from Syria.
Sources reported that Russia criticized Damascus’s violation of a former agreement regarding arrangements to ensure security in the southern region. Russia, Jordan, and Israel signed this agreement that stipulates the withdrawal of Iran and its loyal forces to a minimum of 80 km from the border region in the south.
Syria also breached this agreement, and therefore allowed the return of Iranian forces to the region, the sources added.
Asharq Al-Awsat
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