(Ynet News) Alex Fishman - Iran has leased a military airfield from the Syrian government in the center of the country in order to station fighter aircraft. Iran is also negotiating with the Syrians to establish a land base for Shiite militiamen and a port in the city of Tartus. These steps represent a move by Iran to establish a long-term presence in Syria and pose a threat to Israel. Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman said: "The establishment of an air and sea base and the attempt to permanently station 5,000 Shiite fighters on Syrian soil are not acceptable to us....Iran is attempting to make all of Syria...a frontline base against Israel. We will not accept it. We insist that there be no trace of Iranian presence on Syrian soil." Lieberman also confirmed that Iran is pumping $800 million annually into Hizbullah and that Hizbullah was trying to establish a forward base in Syria that would threaten Israel.
2017-07-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive