Russia Committed to Eliminating Terrorist Threat in Syria
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
On Friday, Russia’s presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, and Defense Ministry officials met with Assad to assess condition in the country after years of US-launched aggression.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, a “whole range of issues relating to the (Syrian conflict) was substantively considered. A firm commitment was confirmed to finally destroy the terrorist presence and make steady progress towards a longterm political settlement in the interests of all Syrians.”
War rages in parts of the country. US-led terror-bombing continues massacring civilians, along with destroying vital infrastructure.
Since Friday, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said scores of civilians “were martyred in three new massacres committed by the US-led international coalition in the villages of al-Suseh and al-Bubadran in al-Bukmal region in Deir Ezzor southern countryside,” adding:
“(T)he death toll is likely to rise as most of the wounded sustained serious injuries and the difficulty of being evacuated from the rubble of houses destroyed by the airstrikes.”
US-led terror-bombing pretends to be combating the scourge of ISIS Washington, NATO, Turkey, Israel, and the Saudis support – including use of CWs and other banned weapons.
On Sunday, SANA said al-Nusra terrorists “transferred a shipment of chlorine and sarin gases from the town of Maaret Masrin to Jisr al-Shughour area in the countryside of Idlib province” the previous day.
Russia expects a CW false flag could occur any time in Idlib – to be wrongfully blamed on Damascus.
On Saturday, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu explained the success of Moscow’s military success in Syria so far, saying the following:
- over 40,000 sorties were flown since September 30, 2015, evenly divided between daylight and nighttime operations;
- around 122,000 terrorist facilities were struck, around 87,500 terrorists eliminated – tens of thousands still active in the country;
- over 1,400 settlements were liberated from control by US-supported terrorists;
- more than 2,500 settlements joined Russia’s reconciliation process;
- Moscow continues providing humanitarian aid to liberated areas, the West and UN aiding areas controlled by terrorists alone;
- Idlib province controlled by US-supported al-Nusra and allied jihadists is the last remaining terrorist stronghold in the country.
So-called “moderate” terrorists are just as ruthless as ISIS and other cutthroat jihadists.
Endless conflict continues because Washington and its imperial partners reject resolution.
According to Shoigu, Russian forces “acquired extensive military experience in Syria, and we are ready to share it,” adding:
Special attention is being paid to addressing humanitarian issues and assisting refugees return to their home areas.
Separately, the Russian language Izvestiya explained that three battalions of advanced S-300PM-2 air defense systems were delivered to Syria’s military, each with eight launchers.
They’re equipped with advanced radar capability, improved target illumination and guidance, as well as a mobile command post.
They can fire multiple medium-range tactical ballistic missiles, able to strike hostile warplanes and other aerial targets up to 155 miles away.
They have improved anti-jamming capability, permitting effective electronic warfare. Claims by Israel about Iranians operating them are false, only Russian specialists and Syrians they’re training in their use.
It’s expected to take around 90 days before they’re fully able to operate the S-300s on their own.
My newest book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
