Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of Iran’s goals in Syria, aspirations that could spark an exodus of millions of refugees to Europe, and elsewhere, that would cause an endless upheaval of terrorism in many countries. At a conference of the international public security ministers’ forum in Jerusalem, that focuses on “the fight against terrorism,” Netanyahu claimed responsibility for attacking bases of Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias operating in Syria, asserting Israel’s measures helps the security – not only of Israel – but many countries around the world. “In putting in Shi’ite militants, understand that Syria is 96% Sunni, so when they bring in 80,000 Shi’ites, one of their goals is not merely attacking Israel, but their goal is to convert the Sunnis. That is a recipe for a re-inflammation of another civil war – I should say a theological war, a religious war – and the sparks of that could be millions more that go into Europe and so on and elsewhere, and that would cause endless upheaval and terrorism in many, many countries. By preventing that, and we have bombed the bases of this, these Shi’ite militias – by preventing that, we are also offering, helping the security of your countries, the security of the world,” Netanyahu said.
The comments by Prime Minister Netanyahu came one day after Syrian President Bashar Assad publicly claimed that Iran does not have any military bases in Syria – but emphasized that ‘if there is a need for Iranian military bases, Damascus will not hesitate to assist Tehran.’ In an interview to Iranian media, the Syrian President confessed to military support from Shi’ite militias from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon. Assad underscored that the Shi’ite militias would remain in his country, until the threat of terrorism is completely eradicated; while further asserting that ‘Hezbollah is a basic element in this war and will remain part of the battle for a long time.’
With regard to the reported understandings reached between Moscow and Jerusalem on Iran’s presence along Syria’s border with Israel, Assad revealed that “contacts are still ongoing between the Russians, the Americans and the Israelis,” while adding that his government is still pursuing a political solution for Syria’s rebel-held southwest but will use military force if diplomacy fails.