Panic in Hezbollah as Russia is preparing for regime change in Syria, a Russian newspaper claims

Moscow: – Russia, which has been involved in the Syrian conflict for more than five years, is preparing to withdraw from Syria. Russia may overthrow the current Syrian regime and hand over power to a military front before withdrawing. Hezbollah is worried that this front will have participation from the opposition groups in Syria. A senior Hezbollah delegation paid an urgent visit to Russia two days ago for this purpose. A Russian newspaper, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, made this claim.

Two days ago, Mohammad Raad, leader of the Iran-affiliated Hezbollah group in Lebanon, visited Russia. During the visit, Raad had talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian mouthpiece gave information regarding the meeting between Lavrov and Raad. But one of the Russian newspapers carried a totally different report regarding the meeting.

Russia disapproves of the deployment of the Iranian military and the Iran-affiliated groups in Syria. Therefore, there is a possibility that Russia may formulate a military council in Syria to reduce Iranian deployment and influence. In that scenario, Russia will form a pro-Russia ruling front, removing Assad from power. With this, the Iranian influence in Syria will decline.

A few days ago, Munaf Laas, a group leader opposed to Assad, held meetings with senior Russian officials. Laas is believed to be a leader of a Turkey-affiliated group. Therefore, the Russian newspaper claimed that Russia is considering overthrowing the Assad regime in Syria to reduce Iranian influence. As per the newspaper, Hezbollah, the Iran-affiliated terrorist group, restless with the reports, sent its senior leaders to Russia on priority.

Neither Russia nor Hezbollah have reacted to the report in the Russian newspaper. But reports have been published in the past that Russia is upset regarding the increasing interference of Iran and Hezbollah. Israel also has conveyed its resentment to Russia.

Meanwhile, it is claimed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered the Israeli message to Hezbollah during the discussions. Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz had warned, ‘Hezbollah should not attack Israel, repeating the mistake made by the Houthi rebels in Yemen, by attacking Saudi Arabia. Because in that scenario, Israel will not spare Hezbollah, and even Lebanon will get seared in the process.’ The diplomatic sources from the western countries are saying that Russia has delivered this stern Israeli message to Hezbollah.