💬 More key statements by Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

⚪️Vladimir Putin is to meet with CSTO parliamentary leaders on Monday.

⚪️Putin will informally talk to Russia's Heroes after official events in honor of Heroes of the Fatherland Day in the Kremlin.

⚪️The Astana format is always relevant as a mechanism for exchanging views, and consultations will continue in one form or another.

⚪️The Kremlin urged not to make hasty conclusions on the release of prisoners in Syria, saying all cases should be considered separately.

⚪️The security of Russian military bases in Syria is a very important issue.

⚪️ Russia firmly intends to support dialog on Syria, analyze the situation, and hold consultations.

⚪️The international situation is very turbulent, and this requires special attention, including from the Russian authorities.

⚪️There is still very high conflict potential in the world.

⚪️Putin's official schedule does not include a meeting with Bashar al-Assad.

⚪️On reports that Assad is in Moscow: Nothing to say on Assad's location.

⚪️The Russian authorities are doing everything necessary to get in contact with those in Syria who can deal with the security of military bases.

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📑What makes the Golan Heights crucial for Israel?

Amid the turmoil in Syria, which saw President Bashar al-Assad transfer power to the armed opposition, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Syrian territory outside the Golan Heights for the first time in 50 years.

The Golan Heights in details

The Golan Heights is a mountain plateau of volcanic origin that stretches north to south, covering an area of 1,800 square kilometers. It lies about 60 km south of Damascus and is bordered by the Yarmouk River to the south and the Sea of Galilee to the west.

Why is this ground vital?

🔸 This is a key strategic area in military terms. The plateau’s hilly terrain offers a natural defense line against any ground military strike from Syria.

🔸 The high ground also gives Israel an excellent vantage point to observe troop movements in Syria.

🔸 With their well-developed hydro geographical network, the heights are a key source of water for the arid region.

🔸 Numerous rivers and streams from there flow into the Jordan River and Lake Tiberias – crucial sources of drinking water for Israel.

🔸 Three drilling sites on the Golan were claimed to have discovered potentially billions of barrels of oil in 2015.

🔸 The fertile volcanic soil is used for growing vineyards and orchards, as well as for raising livestock.

What is the history of the Golan Heights?

◾️ Israel seized a large portion of Syria's Golan Heights during the Six-Day War in 1967.

◾️ After the 1973 Arab-Israeli War (Yom Kippur War), Syria and Israel signed a disengagement agreement in May 1974.

◾️ The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 350, which established the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) there.

◾️ Israel formally annexed the patch of land in 1981.

◾️ The UN Security Council declared the annexation invalid. Most of the international community, including Russia, does not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territory. During Trump’s tenure in 2019, the US administration officially recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel.

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🇷🇺 Russia can never be ‘conquered’, Putin assures

The Russian president highlighted the contributions of those who served in Russia's special military operation while presenting them with awards at a ceremony dedicated to Heroes of the Fatherland Day.

“On our side, we hold the truth, the might of firepower, as well as the strength of spirit,” he stressed.

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The armed opposition that took power in Syria proposes dissolving all opposition associations and operating under a unified government, spokesperson told Sputnik.

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More statements by the Syrian opposition:

🔸 The opposition seeks to disband all armed groups and establish a unified military administration in the country.

🔸 The opposition also advocates for the formation of a transitional government.

Earlier, the head of the Syrian armed opposition exclusively told Sputnik that they hoped to build positive relations with both Russia and the international community in order to establish an independent and democratic state based on UNSC Resolution 2254.

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🗣Russia expects CSTO leaders to attend May 9 2025, in Moscow, invites military units of these states to participate in parade - Putin

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❗️❗️❗️Syria’s Prime Minister to Sputnik: Government prioritizing stability amid turmoil

In an interview with Sputnik, Syria’s Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali stated, "the current government is committed to its duties, and our primary focus is on ensuring the uninterrupted operation of state services and utilities." He emphasized the administration's dedication to maintaining stability in the country despite ongoing challenges.

Al-Jalali underscored the significance of communication with both foreign allies and adversaries, remarking, "Contacts are being made... we are actively engaging in discussions on the necessity of a smooth transition to preserve the state." He noted that during a recent meeting with one of the factions, it was reaffirmed that "Syria will remain a united country."

Addressing the difficulties faced by Syria’s military, al-Jalali acknowledged that "psychological, economic, and social factors have contributed to a decline in morale within the Syrian army." He elaborated that many soldiers, disillusioned by the difficult conditions, "laid down their weapons and returned home."

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister stated, "The restoration of the Syrian army will be the responsibility of the next administration." He expressed hope for the eventual lifting of sanctions but clarified that "no specific agreements have been reached on this matter."

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❓What is known about Ukrainian-linked criminal scam network busted by Russia?

A sprawling criminal call center network linked to Ukraine has been busted by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

Here’s what’s known so far:

🔹 The global criminal group operated call centers where, under the guise of making investment deals, perpetrators defrauded unwitting victims, according to the FSB statement.

🔹 Eleven individuals, including leaders and employees of the network's Russia-based offices, have been detained by security forces.

🔹 The network was led by Israeli/Ukrainian citizen Yakov Keselman, who has been detained, and Israeli/Georgian citizen David Todva, who is on the run.

🔹 Around 100,000 people across more than 50 countries, including the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, India, and Japan fell victim to the scammers, who raked in close to a million US dollars a day, according to an FSB statement.

🔹 The fraudulent scheme “operated in Russia on behalf of former Georgian Defense Minister and Milton Group founder David Kezerashvili, who is currently hiding in London.”

🔹 Kezerashvili is wanted on charges of disseminating anonymous messages upon instructions from the Ukrainian Security Service in 2022 about alleged impending attacks in Russia supposedly being planned, per the FSB.
An investigation into the criminal operation is ongoing.

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⚔️ Syria’s crisis: Key interests of the US, Israel, Turkiye, Iran, and Russia (Part 1 👉 Part 2)

The 13-year-long Syrian civil war, culminating in the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government and the risk of further fragmentation of Syria, has significant implications for both global and regional players. Here’s a look at the strategic interests of key stakeholders:

The United States

🔸 Washington viewed Syria's fragmentation as a way to undermine Iran, which, along with Lebanese Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militias, and Yemeni Houthis, forms the Axis of Resistance against US-backed Israel.

🔸 Weakening this Axis ensures greater security for Washington's ally, Israel.

🔸 A declassified 2012 Defense Intelligence Agency report revealed that the US planned to support the creation of a Sunni Salafist principality in Syria to isolate government-controlled territories considered the "strategic depth of Shia expansion" for Iran and Iraqi Shiite militias.

Israel

🔸 Technically at war with Syria since 1948, Israel views the collapse of Syria as removing a long-standing adversary. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have targeted Syria's arms stockpiles and military installations to eliminate its war potential.

🔸 Syria was also a critical link for Iran to supply Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria's disintegration benefits Israel by weakening the Axis of Resistance and reducing external pressure on its policies regarding Palestinian territories.

🔸 Additionally, Syria's fragmentation has enabled Israel to solidify its control over the Golan Heights, nullify the 1974 ceasefire agreement, and expand its territory by seizing Syria-controlled Golan areas.

Turkiye

🔸 Ankara aims to maintain control over northern Syria, bordering Turkiye, where the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), designated as terrorists by Turkiye, currently operate.

🔸 Syria's fragmentation poses a threat to Turkiye due to the Kurdish aspiration for an independent state, which threatens Turkiye's national security and territorial integrity. Approximately 30 million Kurds live in the mountainous regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkiye.

🔸 The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has recently expelled the YPG from Tal Rifaat (north of Aleppo), severed a key route between Raqqa and Aleppo, and encircled the city of Manbij from three sides.

👉 Part 2

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⚔️ Syria’s crisis: Key interests of the US, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and Russia (Part 2 👉 Part 1)

Iran

🔸 Syria played an important role in the Axis of Resistance in confronting Israel and defending the Palestinians, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

🔸 Iran and Syria also cooperated in the joint fight against ISIS* and other sectarian factions threatening Iran and its Shiite allies.

🔸 Iran sought to preserve Syria's territorial integrity and assisted in political reconciliation between warring parties to prevent chaos and fragmentation, which could lead to broader regional instability.

🔸 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has expressed concerns about the potential for sectarian war, civil war, Syria's disintegration, and its transformation into a hub of terrorists.

Russia

🔸 Syria has been a longstanding Russian ally, providing the Russian Navy with a permanent presence in the Mediterranean Sea at the port city of Tartus since 1971.

🔸 Russia's involvement in the Syrian conflict coincided with the ISIS expansion and came at Damascus' request to combat terrorism "abroad to prevent it from striking at home," as President Vladimir Putin stated in 2015. The Syria crisis threatened to expand to Russia's Caucasus and beyond.

🔸 Following the defeat of ISIS*, Russia's strategic interests included stabilizing the situation on the ground, curbing remaining terrorist threats, and ensuring reconciliation of warring parties along with a political settlement to maintain regional stability.

*Terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries

👉 Part 1

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🗣Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a statement on the situation in Syria, saying the main condition for a settlement was respect for its territorial integrity.

During his speech, Erdogan:

🗣Called the Syrian people brotherly, noting that Turkiye's approach to the situation was based on friendship and not on profit

🗣He stated that Turkiye is ready to help in the reconstruction of Syria

🗣He also anticipated the mass return of Syrian refugees from Turkiye as the situation improves.

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🇸🇾Delve into Syria’s vibrant ethnic and religious mosaic

Syria has long been a mosaic of diverse ethnic and religious communities, each aligning with various political factions that are perceived to represent their interests in the nation's political landscape.

Population overview (according to the Russian Foreign Ministry):

🔸 Syria's population is approximately 22.4 million, composed predominantly of Syrian Arabs, who constitute 88% of the populace. The Kurdish community is the second-largest ethnic group, numbering around 2 million, while other minority groups include Armenians, Assyrians, and Turkomans.

🔸 Muslims represent 90% of the population, with Sunni Muslims accounting for 72%, Alawites for 13%, and the remaining population primarily comprising Druze and Ismailis. Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic, make up less than 10%.

Overview of ethnic and religious groups and their affiliations:

🔹 Arab Sunnis: This group is widespread throughout Syria, and the armed opposition claims to represent their interests.

🔹 Arab Shias: Comprising 1-2% of the population, Arab Shias predominantly reside in Damascus, Aleppo, and Hama. They oppose Sunni dominance, support the Ba’ath Party that had been led by Hafez al-Assad and his son Bashar al-Assad, and advocate for Syria's close ties with Iran.

🔹 Arab Alawites: Approximately 3 million Alawites primarily live in the Latakia region. Historically an oppressed minority, they have gained prominence under the Assad regime and have traditionally supported the Ba’ath Party.

🔹 Christians: Prior to the civil war, Arabs, Armenians, and Assyrian Christians constituted about 10% of Syria's population. However, their numbers have significantly dwindled since 2011, when ISIS* took hold, and precise data is currently unavailable. Before the rise of ISIS, most Christians resided in Damascus and Aleppo, with some relocating to Latakia during the conflict.

🔹 Kurds: Primarily located in the Hasakah and Raqqa regions near the Turkish border, Kurds aspire for an autonomous Kurdistan, a goal opposed by Turkiye and the Syrian opposition. During the civil war, they established the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which received support from the United States. The SDF currently controls areas independent of Damascus and resists Sunni-led rebel forces.

🔹 Druze: Concentrated in southern Syria (specifically in Al-Suwayda, Quneitra, and the Golan Heights), the Druze initially supported the Ba’ath Party. However, they now seek greater autonomy due to Sunni perceptions of them as "enemies" and "collaborators of Israel."

🔹 Turkomans (Turkmens): This small Turkic group resides primarily along the Turkish-Syrian border and in the Aleppo province. Aligned with Turkey, they have formed the Syrian Democratic Turkmen Movement and are engaged in conflict with both the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led SDF.

*designated as a terrorist organization and is banned in Russia and several other countries

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