“He noted that Russia “couldn’t and didn’t want to come to the defense of the regime it was supposed to support.””, — write: www.unian.ua
He noted that Russia “couldn’t and didn’t want to come to the defense of the regime it was supposed to support.”
Gili believes that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria should serve as a warning to potential allies of the Kremlin / screenshotRussia has suffered a “huge strategic defeat” with the fall of President Assad’s regime in Syria, Britain’s defense secretary has said.John Geely says Russia is “clinging” to its two remaining bases in Syria, having started to retreat after rebel groups seized power, The Times writes.
He warned Vladimir Putin’s allies not to trust the Russian leader as a reliable security partner.
“This is a huge strategic defeat for Russia. It is a powerful signal to any country that might be tempted to see Russia as an ally or as a guarantor of its security. It shows that when pressure is put on it, Russia backs down,” Gili said.
He noted that Russia “couldn’t and didn’t want to come to the defense of the regime it was supposed to support.”
Ghili said there was “a chance for a new future for Syria beyond the brutal, bloody Assad regime” and that it was worth talking to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to see how the UK could help fulfill their pledges.
He said the UK had two main goals: to help ensure a stable transition and to see the new government deliver on its promises to ensure a peaceful future for Syria.
The fall of the Assad regime – detailsThe collapse of the Assad regime on December 8 came after a lightning offensive led by the Islamist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
It dealt a painful blow to Russia, which launched a military intervention in Syria nine years ago to prop up its government during the civil war. Putin offered Assad political asylum as the rebels closed in on Damascus this month.
However, Moscow quickly sought to establish contact with the victorious rebels to guarantee the safety of Russian diplomatic and military personnel in Syria and to try to extend the lease of its air and naval bases there.
Syrian military and security sources in contact with the Russians said Moscow was withdrawing its forces from the front line and withdrawing some heavy equipment and senior Syrian officers.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity this week, added that Russia is not withdrawing its two main bases and has no current intention to do so.
Bases in Syria are an integral part of Russia’s global military presence. The naval base in Tartus is Russia’s only Mediterranean repair and supply center, and Khmeimim is a transshipment point for military and mercenary activities in Africa.
According to intelligence sources, Russia also has listening posts in Syria that operate in parallel with Syrian communication stations.
You may also be interested in news:
- Dictator Assad made his first statement after fleeing to Russia
- Turkey Builds Up Forces Along Syrian Border, Prepares for Major Offensive – WSJ
- The new leadership of Syria made a statement regarding the presence of the Russian Federation in the country