Government-backed paramilitary forces (supported by Turkey) in Syria’s Alawite enclave brutally suppressed the Alawite opposition. The Alawites are now seeking protection at Russian military bases as the Sunni-led government consolidates power.
Turkey’s support was critical in this crackdown and furthers the Turkish goal of weakening opposition along their Southern border. The Russians are getting squeezed out of the region, although Israel would prefer they stay in place to keep Syria fragmented.
Israel isn’t the only one favoring the Russians though; US policy is shifting in favor of Russian interests in Syria. This is just another layer of how Russian influence is reshaping global power dynamics.