JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel will escalate its fight against forces in Syria aligned with the Iranian regime after the withdrawal of US troops from the country, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday. Israel also worries that its main ally’s exit could reduce its diplomatic leverage with Russia, the Syrian government’s big-power backer. We will intensify them, and I know that we do so with the full support and backing of the United States,” he added. Trump cited what he described as victory over Islamic State militants in Syria as warranting the decision to withdraw US troops. Israel has long tried to persuade the United States that Iran and its Shiite Muslim militias, which are sent to reinforce Damascus, pose the greater threat in the region.

Source: Egypt Independent December 20, 2018 12:43 UTC