Israeli political sources say the United States dealt a severe blow to armed groups operating in Syria after it accepted Russian conditions to solve the crisis in the country.
A serious escalation of regional developments in the last few hours obliged decision-makers in the White House to accept the Russian conditions, the sources said, including accepting that President Bashar al-Assad will stay and acknowledging his important participation in any political dialogue over the future of Syria.
Israeli radio reported that sources said the White House held a series of consultations with officials in Tel Aviv and other regional countries ahead of their acceptance of the Russian initiative. It noted that the U.S. accepted the terms after direct warnings from Moscow that it will interfere heavily on the front line, and after clear warnings from Iran that it will interfere militarily in Syria using ground forces.
According to the Israeli sources, important changes in the positions of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt took place in support of a political solution in Syria, sidelining the Qatari position, especially after intelligence emerged of Al- Qaeda's involvement on the ground in Syria, and that other militarized groups on the ground are severely disorganized and lacking any popular support.
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