Putin, Netanyahu discuss situation near Syria-Israel border

MOSCOW – The Kremlin says President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have discussed the situation along Syria’s border with Israel.

The Kremlin said the leaders discussed “the situation in Syria in the context of joint efforts to ensure security around the Syrian-Israeli border” on a Friday call. It added they “voiced readiness to strengthen co-ordination on Syria, including on combating international terrorism.”

The conversation follows up on the two leaders’ talks in Moscow and the Israeli defence minister’s visit to Russia last month.

The Syrian government’s plans to recapture rebel-held areas near the border raised Israeli concerns its other backers besides Russia — Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah — could reaffirm their presence there. Israel has warned it wouldn’t allow Iran to maintain a military presence in Syria.