Reuters/VICE: Russia Won't Comment on Whether its Troops Are Fighting in Syria
The Kremlin declined to comment on Thursday on whether Russian troops are in combat in Syria, after sources in Lebanon told Reuters that Russian forces had begun participating in military operations there.
Bashar al-Assad's opponents in the West and among Gulf Arab states fear a considerable Russian military buildup is taking place in Syria to support the country's president. Moscow says all its military assistance to the Syrian army is in line with international law.
"The threat coming from Islamic State is evident... The only force capable of resisting it is the Syrian armed forces," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, reiterating Russia's position that its long-time ally Assad should be part of international efforts to combat the ultra-hardline Islamists.
WNU Editor: As I had mentioned in a post yesterday, I have been reading reports on Russian social media that Russian soldiers embedded with Syrian soldiers have found themselves engaged in military combat .... which (to me) is not surprising in view of how fluid the situation is in Syria and how these advisers may find themselves in the middle of a battle. But are Russian soldiers actually initiating and directly participating in attacks with Syrian soldiers against rebel positions .... again .... as I said yesterday .... if true this is an entirely different and troubling development. After sleeping on it and talking with some people that I know in Russia whose observations I trust .... it appears that that the decision has been made in Moscow that Russia will now actively participate in military operations in Syria. In the past two months we have seen a parade of officials travelling to Moscow .... Iranian Quds force leader Qassem Suleiman was rumored to be there, Syrian foreign minister Walid al-Moualem as there in June where Putin promised military aid, and even Saudi Arabia has been talking with Russia on the Syrian crisis. With this type of involvement and diplomatic travel .... with hindsight one would say that something was up. As to what that involvement will entail .... I have come to the conclusion that Russia will now provide ground air support, more deadlier weapons, intelligence, the planing and the coordinating of operations, and yes .... the active involvement of Russian special forces.
More News On Reports That Russian Military Forces Are Now Fighting In Syria?
Exclusive: Russian troops join combat in Syria - sources -- Reuters
Putin Sends His Dirty War Forces to Syria -- Michael Weiss & Ben Nimmo, Daily Beast
EXCLUSIVE: First picture 'proof' that Russia has troops on the ground all over Syria helping dictator Bashar Al-Assad - and they've been there since APRIL -- Daily Mail
Syria denies Russian troops fighting alongside army -- Al Arabiya
Russia remains ally but won't confirm military advance, Syrian officials say -- The Guardian
Syria denies Russian combat troops fighting alongside army -- Reuters
The Kremlin refuses to talk about Russian soldiers reportedly fighting in Syria -- Reuters
Update: This is very revealing .... One Russian's Syria Cyber-Trail: He's On A 'Fighting Mission,' Wife Says (Radio Free Europe).
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