Russia sets up nine new observation posts near Syrian Golan Heights

Russian forces in Syria have strengthened their presence near the demilitarised zone which borders the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, setting up nine new observation posts, the Syrian regime's news agency SANA has reported.

General Alexander Rodionov, the deputy commander of Russian forces in Syria said that the posts would carry out aerial and ground observation missions, according to SANA.

He added that Russian troops had "not withdrawn from any position in the region but increased their presence along various positions" at the request of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel has launched frequent deadly attacks on Syria amid its war on Lebanon, which escalated on 23 September. It has also made incursions into the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, without any response from Syrian regime forces.

Last week, at least 20 people were killed in an Israeli strike in the Mazzeh area of Damascus.

A commander from the Syrian regime’s army, who was not named by SANA, was quoted as saying that the presence of Russian military police along the demilitarised zone would "strengthen stability and security" and help local people return to their homes and live normal lives.

SANA also published photographs of the new observation posts being constructed.

Last April, Russia set up two observation posts in the area.

Russia intervened in the Syrian conflict in 2015 on the side of the Assad regime, helping it to brutally crush an uprising which had turned into an armed rebellion and gain the upper hand against Syrian opposition forces, who today only control the Idlib region in northwest Syria.