The rapid rise of opponents of the Syrian regime is likely to worry not only local dictator Bashar al-Assad, but also Vladimir Putin. For almost a decade, Russian troops have been supporting the regime in the fight…
As “Bild” reported online on Monday, the Russian air force made a decisive contribution to the capture of the city of Aleppo in 2016. Four years earlier, Assad’s forces had lost control of large parts of Aleppo. This has now happened again thanks to the advance of the regime’s opponents. The rebel groups also moved closer to the two main Russian bases in the civil war country, namely the Hmeimim air base and the naval base in Tartus.
Basics are of strategic importance
According to the report, Tartus is of great strategic importance for the Russian Navy. It is the only Russian port on the Mediterranean and warships can be repaired or refueled without having to visit the Black Sea.
According to Israeli Middle East analyst Daniel Rakov, “the loss of Aleppo undermines Russia’s image as a great power. The ability to show strength and protect client regimes outside the post-Soviet space is under question (…).”
As reported, Russian warplanes have recently supported Assad’s forces. They carried out air strikes on civilian targets in opposition areas. However, it is doubtful whether more help will come. A large part of the troops and weapons are tied up in the war in Ukraine. And the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which was deployed in Syria for years, was officially disbanded after the coup attempt. The members were spread over various armed forces and are also active in Ukraine or African countries, for example.
Commander-in-Chief of the Navy in Syria
Ukraine’s military intelligence service GUR said the Russian army had replaced the commander-in-chief in Syria. Colonel General Aleksandr Chaiko is now in command. In addition, the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Alexander Moiseyev, is said to have been sent to Tartus.
More than 500 people have been killed in recent fighting between Islamist rebels and government forces in Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 92 of them are civilians. The Russian air force had Aleppo in its sights and bombed targets in front of a hospital in the center. Twelve people were killed, including eight civilians.
Ruler Assad described his opponents’ major offensive as a “terrorist escalation” and said the jihadist fighters aimed to “reshape the map in accordance with the objectives of the United States and the West.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
