Russia establishes new observation point in occupied Golan

Moscow says move will help de-escalate tensions on the border between Israel and Syria

Russia has established a new observation point in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday. The ministry said the move was aimed at "de-escalating tensions" on the border between Israel and Syria.

The new observation point is located near the village of Khan Arnabeh, which is in the central part of the Golan Heights. The ministry said the point would be manned by Russian military personnel and would be equipped with surveillance equipment.

The establishment of the new observation point comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Syria. In recent weeks, there have been several exchanges of fire across the border, and Israel has accused Syria of providing support to Iranian-backed militias operating in the area.

Russia's increased presence in the Golan Heights

The new observation point is part of Russia's growing military presence in the Golan Heights. In 2015, Russia deployed a military police force to the area as part of a deal between Israel and Syria. Russia has also been providing military support to the Syrian government in its fight against rebel groups.

Russia's increased presence in the Golan Heights has raised concerns in Israel. Some Israeli officials have accused Russia of trying to establish a permanent military presence in the area. However, Russia has denied these accusations, saying that its presence in the region is aimed at maintaining stability.

The future of the Golan Heights

The future of the Golan Heights is uncertain. Israel annexed the area from Syria in 1981, but the annexation has not been recognized by the international community. Syria has repeatedly called for the return of the Golan Heights, and there have been several attempts to negotiate a peace settlement between the two countries. However, these negotiations have not been successful.

The establishment of the new Russian observation point in the Golan Heights is likely to further complicate the situation. It is unclear what Russia's long-term intentions are for the area, and its presence could make it more difficult to reach a peace settlement between Israel and Syria.