On 30 September 2015, Russia started military intervention in the Syrian Civil War, consisting of air strikes by Russia against militant groups opposed to the Syrian government, including al-Nusra Front, the Islamic State and the Army of Conquest. The Russian Air Force had significant ground support from the Syrian military, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and allied militias. Prior to this intervention, Russian involvement in the Syrian Civil War had mainly consisted of supplying the Syrian Army. Russia intervened after a formal request from the Syrian government for military help against rebel and in Syria. Russian officials have acknowledged their objective is to help the Syrian government retake territory from various opposition groups, including groups backed by the United States. The intervention could last a year or more, according to reports.
The Syrian Civil War is being waged between multiple opposition and government groups and their local and foreign support bases, who share a shifting, complex web of inter-relationships. As several months of air strikes conducted by the U.S.-led coalition ostensibly against ISIL targets appeared to have resulted in further expansion and strengthening of the ISIL, Russia in September 2015 started sending its own Russian-operated warplanes and other military hardware as well as combat troops to an airbase near the port city of Latakia in Syria. The action was undertaken at an official request by the Syrian government headed by President Bashar al-Assad.
The first series of air strikes took place on 30 September 2015 in areas around the cities of Homs and Hama, targeting the mainstream opposition. Russian warplanes attacked rebel positions "in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya in Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer in Quneitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya; Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs; and the outskirts of Salmiya". In total, 20 flights were made.
.jpg)
0 Comments