Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin has called for an end to Israeli air attacks on targets in Syria, in an interview with Russian media, Sputnik reported.

Israel has hit mainly Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria in the past two years, with such attacks intensifying since President Donald Trump announced his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.

The latest Israeli attack came on January 21 when Israeli missiles hit Iranian military facilities, including weapons depots around Damascus international airport. Israel has vowed to drive out Iranian forces that have been fighting for Syria’s Bashar Assad.

Vershinin said, "With regard to the latest Israeli attacks, we said that such arbitrary attacks on sovereign Syrian territory should be stopped and excluded. Any strikes destabilize the situation even more. No one should conduct actions in Syria that go beyond the scope of antiterrorist objectives".

The Russian diplomat also expressed hope the Russian-Israeli deconfliction mechanism can be further strengthened and confirmed that the two countries are engaged in discussions for this purpose. Vershinin visited Israel at the end of January.

Israel has publicly told Russia that when it comes to Iran’s military presence in Syria, the Israeli government regards it as a threat and reserves the right to take action.