Alleged classified documents from Bashar al-Assad’s regime, uncovered following its downfall, offer an unprecedented look at a covert Israeli-Russian mechanism aimed at limiting Iran’s growing influence and Hezbollah’s military activities in Syria. The newly surfaced papers, marked “top secret and urgent,” expose a delicate balance orchestrated by Moscow to manage Israeli military intervention in Syria while ensuring Assad’s regime remained in power amid a decade-long civil war.

The documents, unveiled by the New Lines Magazine, confirm what analysts long suspected: Israel tolerated Assad’s weakened rule, provided he did not facilitate the Iranian military buildup or Hezbollah’s strengthening in southern Syria, particularly near the Golan Heights. However, Assad’s increased dependence on Iran and its proxies—such as Hezbollah—proved a point of contention, triggering Israeli airstrikes on numerous occasions.

Messages from an Israeli Operative

One of the key revelations in the documents is the existence of an Israeli operative code-named “Moussa” (Moses in English), who directly communicated with Syria’s then-Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ali Mahmoud Abbas. The messages, sent via encrypted channels like WhatsApp, were subsequently forwarded to Ali Mamlouk, Assad’s intelligence chief. The documents, dated between May and July 2023, expose both Israeli warnings and after-action reports detailing specific strikes on Syrian and Iranian-linked targets.

According to the files, dated between May and July 2023, Israel’s concerns intensified in response to heightened Iranian provocations.

In a May 17, 2023 message, Moses warned Syria over Iranian provocations:

“On April 8, 2023, they launched three rockets toward Israel from the Golan Heights under the instruction of Hamas… We warn you of the prospect of any activity of these parties on your territory, and we demand you stop any [Iranian] preparations for the use of these forces… You’re responsible for what is happening in Syria.”

The message underscored Israel’s intent to retaliate forcefully. Indeed, subsequent Israeli airstrikes targeted weapons depots linked to Damascus’s southern command and Hezbollah training camps. Moses explicitly warned:

“Our next attack will be significantly stronger and more severe than what we’ve done so far. You will pay an unprecedented, hefty price.”

By May 29, 2023, Israeli forces had struck key locations, including facilities in Dumayr tied to Hezbollah’s “Golan File”—a covert project aimed at building infrastructure along the Syrian-Israeli border for future attacks.

The Russian Role in Moderating Tensions

The documents reveal Russia’s pivotal role in overseeing a deconfliction mechanism that enabled Israel to avoid striking core Syrian military assets. This arrangement offered Assad some degree of stability while granting Israel freedom to act against Iranian and Hezbollah positions. In turn, Moscow maintained influence over both sides, serving as a mediator in the conflict-ridden region.

However, Israel’s warnings about Iran’s activities became increasingly explicit. A June 8, 2023 message from Moses revealed Israel’s surveillance of Iranian weapons transfers via Russian-controlled Hmeimim Air Base:

“Over the last two weeks, we observed the landing of eight planes in Hmeimim air base arriving from Iran… If you continue to allow the transfer of weapons for Hezbollah and Iran, we will not stand idly by.”

The precision of Israeli intelligence, which tracked the shipments’ movements to Latakia and Qutayfa, highlights Israel’s deep penetration into Syrian and Iranian operations. The documents also identified individuals like Hezbollah commander Hajj Hashem and activities tied to the Golan File network.

The Golan File: Hezbollah’s Strategic Project

The “Golan File” refers to Hezbollah’s covert program aimed at establishing operational networks and infrastructure along the Syrian-Israeli border in the Golan Heights. Under the leadership of senior Hezbollah commander Ali Musa Daqduq (also known as Abu Hussein Sajid), the initiative sought to create sleeper cells capable of launching attacks into Israeli territory. Daqduq, notorious for orchestrating attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike on November 10, 2023.

Hezbollah’s strategy included recruiting local operatives and stockpiling weapons, with the backing of Iranian and Hezbollah leadership, such as Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Quds Force.

Israel’s Preemptive Response

To counter these threats, Israel launched numerous preemptive strikes to dismantle Hezbollah’s presence in Syria. For example, in December 2023, an Israeli airstrike in southern Syria killed Muhammad al-Tamar (Abu Julan), a key operative in the Golan File. This operation underscored Israel’s determination to prevent Hezbollah from entrenching itself near its borders.

Assad’s Dilemma

The documents paint a complex picture of Assad’s relationship with Iran. While Damascus depended on Tehran’s support during the civil war, the fallout from Iranian operations—including repeated Israeli airstrikes—severely undermined Syria’s infrastructure. These strikes also jeopardized Assad’s attempts to rebuild relations with regional actors such as Turkey and the Arab Gulf states.

Assad’s strategic silence during the Gaza war further revealed his shifting priorities. While Hezbollah and other Iranian allies escalated their involvement, Damascus refrained from direct confrontation with Israel. Assad’s careful maneuvering reflected a desire to position himself as a stabilizing force and distance Syria from Tehran’s regional ambitions.

The Collapse of the Mechanism

The covert mechanism unraveled with Assad’s swift ouster on December 8, 2023, at the hands of Islamist rebels reportedly enabled by Turkey. Hours later, Israel launched an unprecedented campaign—“Operation Bashan Arrow”—targeting key Syrian military infrastructure. Israeli air and naval forces conducted over 350 strikes, decimating 70-80% of Syria’s strategic defenses, including remnants of its chemical weapons program.

David McCloskey, a former CIA officer and author, commented:

“The documents offer an astounding glimpse into the extent to which Syria’s weakened, hollowed regime had become a regional plaything. They also show the failure of Assad’s long-standing instinct to play all sides—Iran, Russia, Israel, its Arab neighbors—against the other… By the end, he held no cards.”

The Letters

The following is a transcript of one of the regime’s memos containing messages sent by “Moses”:

Syrian Arab Republic
General Command of the Army and Armed Forces
Intelligence Division – Office of the Division Head

Number: /2450/1
Date: 29/5/2023

To: The Head of the National Security Office

“Greetings, Sir… This is Moses.

Earlier, we targeted storage facilities belonging to the southern command in Damascus.

In addition, we struck a training camp in Dumair used by the Golan File, led by Abu Hussain Sajid, for conducting training and building forces to enhance their capabilities for actions against my country.

We emphasize that we will not accept the presence of Hajj Hashem and his personnel in southern Syria.

Cooperation with Hezbollah harms the Syrian military and its personnel, and you are paying the price.

Any support you provide to the [Iranian] axis and Hezbollah in a manner that harms my country will be met with a severe response.

Best regards.”

Please review,
Head of the Intelligence Division.

In another message sent on June 16, 2023, Moses reiterated Israel’s demands:

“We noticed that starting from July 6-7, Ilyushin 76 aircraft from the 29th Brigade of the Syrian Air Force were no longer landing at Hmeimim Airport.

As we have explained to you multiple times before, these planes were also used to transfer weapons for the Quds Force and Hezbollah, facilitated by Syrian security officials from Latakia.

We want to emphasize that stopping the flights of these planes (by your side), in addition to halting the Iranian cargo flights of Caspian Airlines and Fars Air Qeshm, which were landing at Nayrab Airport, are regarded (by us) as positive steps that will safeguard your interests.

We do not wish to take action against the Syrian Arab Army. Therefore, using the organized mechanism under Russian supervision will allow you to meet the army’s needs without risking infrastructure or sites exploited by the Iranians for weapons transfers, which ultimately cause harm to you.

Since you are the party responsible for halting these flights, know that you have successfully prevented an unnecessary confrontation, one that neither side desires.

Despite all these matters, know that we are closely monitoring and will continue to closely monitor the ongoing activity in the area. Accordingly, if we observe the resumption of weapons transfers aimed at strengthening Hezbollah and the Iranians, we will have no choice but to take action again with great intensity. The outcome depends on you. Stay well.”

In a message sent on July 14, 2023, Moses highlighted the consequences of allowing Iranian activities to continue:

“As long as you continue to provide support to the Iranians on the level of weapon transfers, we will have to return to operating against such activities. You ignored warnings and now your infrastructure pays the price.”

Verifying the Documents

While the authenticity of the documents cannot be independently verified, the New Lines Magazine argued, several factors suggest they are legitimate. First, they emerged directly after Assad’s regime fell, reportedly originating from intelligence centers in Damascus. Second, the files bear official Syrian government stamps and formatting specific to defense and intelligence sectors. Finally, the content aligns with publicly known events, including reported Israeli strikes and operational timelines.

Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos emphasized the strategic implications of the findings:

“These documents reveal a unique deconfliction mechanism with Russia, illustrating Israel’s preference for Assad’s regime — a classic case of ‘the devil you know.’ However, this reliance on Russia may have influenced Israel’s initial hesitation to support Ukraine, given its dependence on Russian cooperation in Syria.”