Russian weapons come into play in Syria

United States officials said in recent days that they are seeking answers to myriad questions about the precise reasoning behind Moscow’s recent deliveries of material and manpower to a base in northern Syria.

Torbjorn Soltvedt, Principal Analyst, Middle East and North Africa at Verisk Maplecroft said in a note Tuesday that despite the rhetoric against Islamic State, “concrete measures taken by Russian Federation have nonetheless focused on ensuring the survival of the Syrian regime”.

Reuters has previously reported that Russian Federation has deployed about 200 naval infantry soldiers to the airfield, as well as temporary housing units, a portable air traffic control station and half a dozen tanks.

Monitoring groups and analysts say that attacks by Syrian government forces are a primary cause of the refugee crisis.

The Obama administration has been flummoxed over how to respond to Russia’s increased support for Syrian President Bashar Assad and has been anxious it will interfere with the ongoing US and coalition campaign against Islamic State militants in Syria.

Maria Zakharova also said that Moscow’s military support for Damascus is aimed at fighting terrorism, safeguarding Syria’s statehood and preventing a “total catastrophe” in the region.

The Pentagon said Carter and Sergei Shoygu discussed Syria and “areas where the United States and Russia’s perspectives overlap and areas of divergence”.

USA policy has been that Assad’s brutal execution of the war against rebels, who include U.S.-backed opponents and radical groups, has made his rule incompatible with bringing peace through diplomacy in Syria.

Kerry says he still wants a “complete and clear understanding” of what Russia’s intentions are.

Moscow is happy to talk to Washington about its military presence in Syria, a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said yesterday.

Russian Federation said Friday it would consider sending its troops into Syria if President Bashar Assad asked for assistance, according to Bloomberg.

US military branches have said they would factor Russian Federation into their military budgets for 2017, and military officials have described Russian Federation as a threat to the U.S.

In an interview with Russian media, the embattled leader warned that backing his multifaceted opposition – which he routinely lumps together as terrorists – would only drive more Syrians into European countries.