Russia could return to Syria conflict
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia can again build up its forces in Syria “in a few hours” if necessary, and would continue striking at extremist groups.
Putin, who ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian warplanes earlier this week, said Russia has kept some forces in Syria to support the Syrian army’s action against Islamic State, the Nusra Front and other extremist groups. He said the Russian military will be ready to use air defense missile systems it has in Syria “against any targets that would threaten our servicemen.”
Putin’s statement underlined Russia’s intention to maintain a strong military presence in the country to keep its gains after a five-month air campaign that has allowed Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces to make significant advances.
Speaking during a Kremlin ceremony honoring Russian military officers who have taken part in the Syrian campaign, Putin said the campaign had demonstrated Russia’s “leadership, will and responsibility” in “preventing the growth of a tumor of terrorism.”
Russian warplanes have conducted more than 9,000 combat missions since the air campaign began on September 30, allowing the Syrian army “to gain strategic initiative,” Putin said.
He said the military spent about 33 billion rubles (US$480 million), adding that it had those funds earmarked for maneuvers and used them instead to finance the Syrian campaign.
“There is no more efficient way of training than real combat,” he said, adding that the military action allowed the Russian armed forces to test long-range cruise missiles and other weapons in the field for the first time.
Putin said a Russian and US-brokered cease-fire that began on February 27 had allowed Russia to reduce its military presence in Syria. The number of Russian air missions flown in Syria has dropped from 60-80 to 20-30 a day, meaning that some warplanes could be sent home, he said without saying how many warplanes will stay in Syria.
Putin said Assad had been informed in advance about the Russian pullout and supported the decision.
Putin praised Assad for what he described as his readiness to contribute to a peaceful settlement. “We have seen him show restraint and demonstrating a sincere striving for peace and readiness for compromise and dialogue,” he said.
The Russian president voiced hopes that the partial withdrawal of his forces from Syria would help the peace talks that had begun in Geneva earlier this week.
While praising cooperation with the US in negotiating the truce, Putin said forces remaining in Syria were ready to act against anyone violating the cease-fire.
“If it becomes necessary, Russia is capable of building up its groups of forces in the region to the level required by the situation in literally a few hours and use our entire arsenal,” he said.
He also said the Syrian army would continue its offensive on Palmyra and drive out the IS forces controlling it.
Without naming any country, Putin said that “all interested nations have been warned” about Russia’s intention to destroy any target that would threaten the Russian military.
“No one has the right to violate the airspace of a sovereign country, Syria,” he said.
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