Russian troops withdraw from post in Syria’s Daraa opposite Golan Heights
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Russian forces withdrew on Monday from a military post in the countryside of Daraa in southern Syria opposite the Golan Heights.
A local source told North Press that Russian military vehicles vacated their positions at Tel al-Hara moving toward northern Daraa.
Tel al-Hara, the highest point in Daraa Governorate overlooks vast areas of the Golan Heights and is located just 12 km away.
On Oct. 1, Israel conducted drone strikes on at least three anti-aircraft radar stations in Daraa and Suwayda as tensions escalated between the Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel in southern Lebanon.
However, the exact destination of the Russian forces remains unknown.
The source highlighted that Russian troops have been stationed at this strategic hill since the summer of 2018 after the Syrian government forces regained control of Daraa.
In July 2018, the opposition armed factions and the government forces reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by Russia in the opposition-held areas in Daraa.
Under the deal, the opposition armed factions agreed to hand over their weapons in exchange for staying in Daraa, and those who opposed the agreement they were sent to Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, once known as al-Nusra Front).
The source noted that concerns have been growing over the potential of an Israeli strike on Tel al-Hara, given its importance as a radar site in the southern region.