GRU Away from the Golan Heights

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-