The Russian military left Syrian territory covered by the civil war. Intelligence stations near the border with Israel have been dismantled. In the region of Damascus and the Syrian part of the Golan Heights, not a single Russian adviser remains, according to Israeli media.
Despite assurances of support for Assad, Russia seems realistic in assessing his chances of retaining power. Consequently, the Russian military presence in Syria has been minimized. According to the publication Yediot Ahronot, referring to senior sources in the U.S. administration, all members of the Russian Armed Forces have abandoned the Syrian Golan Heights and the Damascus Basin District, (Guta of Damascus), the territory stretching from the Golan Heights to the Syrian capital.
According to American data, along the border with Israel, mostly employees of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the Russian Defense Ministry served automated stations for electronic surveillance. The equipment has been dismantled and removed, and the entire staff has been recalled. Other Russian advisors were engaged in maintenance and repair of weapons systems and electronics in the Golan Heights and throughout Syria. The third group was engaged in combat training and instruction of various units of the Assad army.
Although the Russian leadership has revoked all types of counselors from the district of Damascus Guta, western experts believe that they have not left Syria but rather relocated closer to the Mediterranean coast.
As the Yediot Ahronot says, Israel fears that the withdrawal of Russian advisers from the areas adjacent to the border is indicative of conflict exacerbation in Syria. Consequently, anarchy could occur along the border zone, similar to that already observed on the Sinai Peninsula. -02D-
Politics
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On November 15, animal rights activist Kamran Mammadli was detained while staging a protest at the COP29 climate conference. Mammadli was protesting the shooting of street dogs in Azerbaijan. He raised a sign above his head that read: "Azerbaijani authorities are shooting dogs on the streets!" He also shouted: "Resign those who teach youth to be sycophants under the guise of volunteerism!"
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The United States has been working with Azerbaijan for a long time on energy issues and fossil fuel emissions, particularly focusing on technologies that reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and help transition to clean energy, the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm stated at a press conference on November 15 during COP29 in Baku, in response to a question from Turan about how the U.S. can assist Azerbaijan in its transition to renewable and green energy.
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On November 15, the Baku Appeals Court heard the complaint filed by Ulvi Hasanli, the director of the Abzas Mediapublication, against Baku's pre-trial detention center -1 detention facility and the Penitentiary Service. The complaint concerns poor conditions of detention, inhumane treatment, and restrictions on Hasanli’s rights while in custody. Representatives from both institutions failed to appear in court.
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On November 14, a debate took place in the German Bundestag discussing the "horrific" human rights situation in Azerbaijan and COP29. Following the discussions, members of the Bundestag called on the Azerbaijani authorities to release political prisoners, including Gubad Ibadoglu, Anar Mammadli, Samir Ashurov, and all others detained for political reasons. The debate was initiated by Member of Parliament Frank Schwabe. In his speech, Schwabe emphasized that the COP29 conference was being held in Baku against the backdrop of severe human rights violations.
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