Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The human rights group also accused Russia of selectively using one of its reports to support a one-sided position on Syria. [141] Former UK ambassador to Russia from 2004 to 2008, Tony Brenton, said in April 2012 that Russia is looking – in Syria – for its first opportunity since the Cold War to boost its brokering abilities. [63]
One of the drivers behind Russia's military involvement in defense of Assad's clan in Syria was preventing any gas supplies to Europe and Turkey that would compete with Russian supplies. [208] In an October 2016 TV interview, General Leonid Ivashov said that Russia's engagement in the conflict would allow it to block proposed pipelines between ...
Western leaders and diplomats have repeatedly criticized Russia's support of the Syrian government; Russia has stressed that its actions have not violated international law. In June 2012, Russian president Vladimir Putin said Russia did not support "any side [in the conflict] from which the threat of a civil war may emerge". [13]
Russia and Iran have sway over government-held areas, the single biggest chunk of Syria. The United States has forces in the northeast and east, backing the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
First, Russia’s presence in Syria could contain or reduce Iran’s influence over a weakened Assad. Second, a weakened Assad was preferable to the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (or Islamists ...
Syria's civil war has taken a dramatic turn, with dictator Bashar Assad once again leaning on Russian support after a shock offensive by Islamist rebels in Aleppo. Russia helps Syria launch deadly ...
Russia's current arms contracts with Syria are estimated to be 1.5 billion US dollars, compromising 10% of Russia's global arms sales. Syria also hosts a Russian navy base at Tartus, Russia's last military base outside the borders of the former USSR. Russia's arms sales sparked anger and criticism on the part of certain Western and Arab nations.
The Kremlin has said Russia is in discussions with the new rulers of Syria over the bases. Russia's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment on Reuters reporting.