President Donald Trump said it was time to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israel, a move already rejected by Russia and likely to further isolate the U.S. position in the Middle East.
President Donald Trump has brought U.S. support for Israel to an unprecedented extent, recognizing its ally's control of the Golan Heights in a move already rejected by a senior Russian lawmaker and likely to widen the divide between international powers in war-torn Syria.
Russian Senator Oleg Morozov told the RIA Novosti outlet Thursday that "Russia will never support such recognition," arguing that the White House was trying"to divide the Arab world" and deal"a blow to Syria and its partnership with Russia." The Syrian flag is seen front of the United Nations peacekeepers bunkers and Israeli occupied Golan Heights, part of the Quneitra border crossing during its reopening on October 15, 2018. The border crossing was reopened under Russian supervision after the Syrian military reasserted control of insurgent-held areas of Syria’s southwest. LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Russia largely avoided this conflict, but has increasingly condemned Israeli actions since a September incident in which a Russian surveillance plane was downed by Syrian friendly fire as the country's armed forces responded to an Israeli air raid. Moscow has since enhanced its military capabilites there and has installed advanced S-300 anti-aircraft platforms that Israel has threatened to attack should they target Israeli planes.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned Graham's position, arguing it displayed an"ignorance of facts pertaining to history and geography, as well as the latest evidence of the United States' disdain for international legitimacy and its clear and flagrant violations of international law." Russia has endorsed only Russian, Iranian and Iraqi intervention in the fight against rebels and militants, calling on the U.S., Turkey and others to withdraw immediately.
Worsening ties between Ankara and Washington have complicated Trump's plan to withdraw from Syria, as renewed fighting between Turkey and Kurdish forces was feared. The U.S. has also struggled to enforce its mandate that Iranian and Iran-backed forces had to leave as well, and that Assad must step down from power. Rather than see his grip on the country slipping, the Syrian leader has managed to recover most of his territory and some of his diplomatic ties.
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