The Israeli Defense Minister's remarks follow a report printed in the Wall Street Journal last week claiming that Iranian and Hezbollah forces had left the areas of Daraa and Quneitra in southern Syria, only to return disguised as Syrian troops, in a bid to avoid Israeli strikes.
Speaking to the Israeli radio station 103FM, Israel's Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said that although there are several dozen Iranian “so-called advisors” in southern Syria, there are no forces there disguised as Syrian army forces or operating within its ranks.
Last week, The Wall Street Journal citing senior Syrian rebels who claimed that Iranian troops and Hezbollah fighters dressed in Syrian army uniforms were present in southern Syria.
Earlier, Russia, the US, Jordan and israel discussed the withdrawal of all non-Syrian military formations from the southern de-escalation zone on the country's southern borders with israel and Jordan. Tel Aviv insists on the withdrawal of the alleged Hezbollah and Iranian military presence in the country, and has vowed to pursue a military campaign against these forces on Syrian territory.
“Israel's demand on the Syrian issue is very clear, and involves the complete removal of Hezbollah and Iran from Syrian territory…These are not just broad generalizations; Israel actively demonstrates and promotes its position,” the IDF's press service said, citing the defense minister.
The…
