Israel Aims to Prevent 'Misunderstandings' with Russia

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Russia has deployed nearly 30 warplanes to a base outside the Syrian port city of Latakia, the New York Times, quoting U.S. officials, reported.

According to the report, Su-24 and Su-25 ground attack planes equipped with air-to-air missiles and protected by anti-aircraft systems, along with surveillance drones, tanks and armored personnel carriers have been seen on the base.

U.S. satellite images showed prefabricated housing units being unloaded at the base, which could accommodate up to 2,000 troops, though there are reports of Russian soldiers resisting deployment to engage with Islamic State fighters.

Some analysts say the Russian buildup is meant to prevent ISIS from an attempted takeover of Russia’s naval base at the Tartus and its holdings in Latakia.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seemed satisfied with the outcome of a three-hour meeting Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the outskirts of Moscow.

At the meeting, a joint Israeli-Russian team to coordinate military action was established. The team will hold its first meeting in two weeks to discuss air operations near the Israeli-Syrian border.

Netanyahu, accompanied by his top military advisers, called the discussion on Russia’s buildup of troops and military paraphernalia in Syria “substantive,” stressing the importance of “preventing misunderstandings,” especially regarding Israel’s security concerns on its northern border.

“The conversation revolved, first of all, on the issue that I raised regarding Syria, which is very important to the security of Israel. The conversation was substantive. A joint mechanism for preventing misunderstandings between our forces was also agreed to,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

“I would say that the importance of preventing misunderstandings is very big,” he continued. “Israel is constantly working to prevent the transfer of advanced and deadly weaponry from Syrian territory to Hezbollah.”

Netanyahu said “Israel is not prepared to accept a second terrorist front that Iran is trying build on the Golan Heights.”

“Israel is taking action and when it does so it is important for everyone, including Russia, to know how we are taking action. It is no less important in order to prevent misunderstandings, and it is worthwhile to do so before they occur and not afterward,” he said.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters Russia and Iran should help end Syria’s four-year civil war. While Russia’s long-term intentions in Syria are unclear, he said, both countries could assist “diplomatic efforts” to end the war.

Should Putin attend the opening of the 70th U.N. General Assembly next week in New York, he may meet with President Obama to discuss the fight against Islamic State, though Russia supports Syrian President Bashar Assad while the Obama administration says he has to go.