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Business News/ News / World/  Russia weighs deeper military role in Syria, defying US
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Russia weighs deeper military role in Syria, defying US

US says the move could trigger an escalation of the four-year conflict

Russia said it’s ready to look at measures to fight Islamist insurgents in Syria if the conflict worsens. Photo: BloombergPremium
Russia said it’s ready to look at measures to fight Islamist insurgents in Syria if the conflict worsens. Photo: Bloomberg

Moscow: Russia said it’s ready to look at measures to fight Islamist insurgents in Syria if the conflict worsens, rejecting US criticism of its deepening military involvement in the Middle Eastern country.

“If additional measures to step up the anti-terrorist fight are required, Russia is ready to consider them, but only in strict compliance with international and Russian law," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow. “The situation now doesn’t require it."

The US administration has criticized Russia for suspected deployment of additional military personnel and aircraft in Syria, saying the move could trigger an escalation of the four-year conflict. France is preparing for air strikes against Islamic State as refugees flee to Europe.

While Russia has sent advisers to help the Syrian army, reports of a military buildup in Syria are designed to foster “hysteria," Zakharova said.

“Russia has never made a secret out of its military cooperation with Syria," Zakharova said. “Russian specialists are helping Syrians to use Russian equipment. It’s difficult to understand the anti-Russian hysteria in this regard."

Russia, under US and European sanctions for its support of separatists in Ukraine, has been at the center of a burst of diplomatic activity aimed at brokering a deal to resolve the Syrian conflict.

Weapons deliveries

Russia has been holding talks with Saudi Arabia and the US, which have supported rebels seeking Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, as well as Iran, which backs Assad, and other key Arab states. The Kremlin has refused demands for the immediate removal of Assad, a long-time ally, while Putin said last week that the Syrian leader had agreed to hold early parliamentary elections and share some power with opponents.

Russia is unlikely to risk direct involvement in the conflict even as the pace of its weapons deliveries to Assad is accelerating, according to Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Moscow- based Center of Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, which advises the defense ministry.

Shipments of munitions, weapons and fuel to Syria have increased since the beginning of August, Vedomosti reported Wednesday, citing unidentified military officials.

Bulgaria banned Russian planes from its airspace on suspicion they weren’t carrying humanitarian aid to Syria, closing the main flight path. Three years ago, Turkey forced the landing of a passenger jet flying from Moscow to Damascus to search for weapons. It was carrying radar equipment for Syrian air-defense systems, according to Russian media.

Iran gave Russia overflight permission to send humanitarian-aid cargoes to the region, Interfax reported, citing Russia’s ambassador in Tehran. Bloomberg

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Published: 09 Sep 2015, 08:21 PM IST
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