Kerry called Lavrov to learn about the Russian military in Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry telephoned Sergei Lavrov, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, to express concern about reports of a strengthening Russian military presence in Syria, where Russia can support the regime of President Bashar Assad. About the conversation reports Reuters with reference to the press service of the US Department of State. The report of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not mention this topic at all.

Kerry expressed the view that "if such reports are accurate, then these types of actions could lead to further escalation of the conflict" in Syria, "the death of more civilians, an increase in the flow of refugees and the risk of confrontation with the coalition operating against the Islamic State." In conclusion, the diplomats agreed to continue the discussion on Syria “in New York later this month,” that is, at the 70th session of the UN General Assembly.

The website of the Russian Foreign Ministry says that “during the conversation, various aspects of the situation in and around Syria, the tasks of fighting ISIS and other terrorist groups, as well as issues of interaction in support of UN efforts to establish a political process were discussed.” Lavrov and Kerry “agreed to continue close contacts on the issues of Syrian settlement.”

At the beginning of September, reports appeared in the Israeli and Turkish media that Russian planes were supposedly arriving at a base near Damascus, which were supposed to join in air strikes against the forces of the Islamic State terrorist group banned in the Russian Federation. Observers also allegedly noticed a strange cargo on board the Russian large landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov after it passed through the Black Sea straits in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea on August 20.

The Kremlin denied reports of the possible participation of the Russian Armed Forces in strikes against ISIS in Syria.

September 5 Live Journal Ruslana Leviev An online investigation appeared on the strengthening of the Russian military presence in Syria, primarily at the Navy logistics station in Tartus. In particular, the profiles of several military personnel of the 810-th Separate Marine Corps brigade were found in social networks, which, according to reports, were sent to Syria with lengthy business trips. At the same time, there was no unambiguous photo or video evidence that the Russian military participated in the battles.

In the United States, military support for the Bashar al-Assad regime is called destabilizing. At a Sept. 3 briefing, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said, “Any military support for any purpose for the Assad regime, whether in the form of troops, aircraft, weapons or funding, is destabilizing and counterproductive.”

At the same time, observers draw attention to the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin is nurturing a plan to create a new international coalition against terrorism and against the IG in particular. In the light of Moscow’s intentions to lead this process, the alleged presence of the Russian military in Syria and their possible preparation for the bombardment of IS positions on the territory of this country seems quite logical.

On Friday, the Russian President again raised the Syrian issue, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. He confirmed that Russia proposes to create an international coalition to combat extremism and terrorism. Putin noted that he had already discussed this topic with a number of world leaders, including the presidents of the United States, Turkey and Egypt, the leadership of Saudi Arabia, and the King of Jordan. Work is also underway with Russia’s partners in Syria, where the positions of Islamic State militants are located.