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Russian Soldiers Killed in Syria Clashes With Jihadist Militias

A series of violent clashes between Russian troops and jihadist Islamist militias in western Syria have left at least five Russian soldiers dead, according to Western intelligence sources speaking to Israeli military radio. The incidents occurred in May but were not publicly acknowledged by Moscow and have remained below the radar—until now. The militias involved are believed to be aligned with the forces of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. However, the exact nature of the relationship between these militias and the Assad regime remains unclear. Israeli intelligence officials say it is still uncertain whether the attacks on Russian troops were directly sanctioned by the regime or the result of factional chaos. Two areas are now in his crosshairs: the southern region of Sweida—long a Druze stronghold—and the coastal enclave of Latakia, where any attempted expansion could spark further clashes with Russian troops. The intelligence community believes that if Jolani succeeds in taking control of Sweida, Latakia will become his next strategic goal, raising the risk of renewed hostilities with Moscow’s remaining forces on Syrian soil.