News / Middle East

Kerry: Russian Planes in Syria for 'Force Protection'

Russian Condor transport plane at Latakia, Syria (Photo by Stratfor, a geopolitical intelligence and advisory firm based in Austin, Texas)
Russian Condor transport plane at Latakia, Syria (Photo by Stratfor, a geopolitical intelligence and advisory firm based in Austin, Texas)
VOA News

Secretary of State John Kerry says U.S. military experts believe the Russian planes sent to an air base in Syria are there for basic "force protection," intended to protect Russian soldiers and assets already on the ground.

But Kerry said Tuesday it is still not clear what Russia's long-term intentions are for boosting its military presence in Syria. He said if Russia is looking for a sphere of influence in the Middle East, it is going about it in a very odd way, by backing a Syrian government responsible for atrocities.

"Support for [Syrian President Bashar al-] Assad is support for a Shia minority that has dropped barrel bombs on its people, that has gassed his own people, war crimes, that has starved his people, tortured his people," said Kerry.

Russia has said it wants to defeat Islamic State, but has refused to join the U.S.-led coalition that shares the same goal.

Kerry said he hopes Russia and Iran - another major Syrian ally - are prepared to work for peace in Syria.

"But if they [the Russians] are there to shore up Assad and to simply stand there in a way that provides Assad with a continued sense that he doesn't have to negotiate, that I think it's a problem for Syria...and for everybody who wans to bring an end to this conflict which has gone on for too long now," he said.

The United Nations envoy on Syria launched another effort Tuesday to open peace talks on Syria. Staffan de Mistura announced the heads of four "thematic" working groups. The plan calls for Syrian parties to participate in discussions within the groups looking at political and legal issues, military matters and counterterrorism.

The 2012 Geneva Communique on Syria sets out a road map for a democratic transition and remains the basis for a peaceful settlement.

It includes an interim government ahead of a democratic election. But the U.S. has said Assad has no place in Syria's future.

Also Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed that U.S. coalition airstrikes killed two top extremists.

David Drugeon, a French convert to Islam, was killed on July 5 in Syria. Drugeon was a bombmaker and terrorist trainer with the al-Qaida affiliated Khorasan Group.

Another U.S. coalition airstrtike near Tal Afar in northern Iraq killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Turkmani on September 10.

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by: williweb from: Phoenix Arizona USA
September 23, 2015 11:59 AM
The US can back away now. Let Russia take the blame for anything these screwed up muslims do to themselves. The anti-IS bombing campaign can continue. The Kurds, Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Turkey can finish off IS at their leisure.

by: outcome
September 23, 2015 8:08 AM
USA mismanaged everything in middle east. America has given up on its arab allies on so many issues.Most of the arab countries in middle east now feel that america is unreliable. Now, by standing with Syria and protecting assad, Russia proves to be a reliable ally in middle east. This will make other arab countries in middle east prefer Russia over america in the long run.

by: breaking news
September 23, 2015 7:51 AM
America expected to draw Russian Military into Ukraine in order to bring down Russia.But, Putin acted wisely. He chose Ukraine Rebels to fight for Russia. Now, Russia is helping in the background in Ukraine. In the same way, Iran, Hizbullah and Syrian army will fight in stria. Russia will be helping in the background as it did in Ukraine.

by: real news
September 23, 2015 7:43 AM
Russia will not commit ground troops.Putin is not a fool to do the same mistake Soviet Union committed in afganistan. Iran and Hizbullah will fight. Russia will support them militarily and diplomatically.

by: prediction
September 23, 2015 7:01 AM
Like US protected Kurds against Sadam in iraq with no-fly zone. Russia may enforce a no fly zone in Syria to protect Assad's stronghold against the west and ISIS. This way, Russia will keep its influence in Middle east to counter the west. Russia is not interested in letting Russian ground troops to fight ISIS.

by: Acer
September 23, 2015 6:30 AM
"Force protection" unlikely, rather establishing a no go fly zone by Russia is ultimately on the cards, once force levels and missiles (BUK) are adequately positioned, to track incoming coalition aircraft.

by: Real picture
September 23, 2015 6:16 AM
Putin is a wise leader. He will not put Russian ground troops in syria to fight ISIS. He is not a fool to do the same mistake soveit union did in Afghanistan. Putin will simply support Syrian Army and stay from the mess. He is just providing air cover for Syrian army so that the west can not overthrow Assad. He wants to prevent syria from becoming another Lybia. That's all.

Putin knows very well that if he orders Russian ground troops to fight terrorists on the ground, America will forget about terrorism and use Syrian conflict to bring down Russia Don't under estimate Putin, he is not such a fool.
In Response

by: Real Deal
September 23, 2015 8:49 AM
That's why he came from the KGB - however there must be immense advantage to be gained by Russia for this assistance, therein is the "jackpot question".

by: Just a prediction
September 23, 2015 6:00 AM
Russia will save Assad as it did with the case of Ukraine's ex-President in Ukraine. Then, Russia will support Syrian rebels as it supported Ukraine rebels.There is no real opposition force that exists in Syria. easily, with help of Russian army and Iran Pro-Assad rebels will defeat ISIS. America will not confront Russia. Once, Russia gets involved in the scene. America will simply stay away.

America can not support ISIS or any other jihadist groups against Pro Assad Rebels. conflict will go on. America will ultimately fail to create a force to fight both ISIS and Pro-Assad rebels at the same time. Finally America will sit and talk with Putin to solve the mess as Germany and France did in Ukraine.

by: Jack from: NYC
September 23, 2015 5:30 AM
Kerry and Obama turn a blind eye to the genocide of the Syrian people. Putin sends planes and war machines to further crash civilians who merely wants Assad. And Kerry cynical reaction - 'these planes are for Russian self protection'. Obama is as to blame as for war crimes as Assad and Putin. for not taking any stance and looking at the slaughter without doing anything.

by: It is about syrian state
September 23, 2015 5:18 AM
Putin's main goal is to protect the Syrian state. It means.. No matter whether Assad is in power or not, He wants to keep syria as a state. Russian move is more about Syria, not Assad. Putin wants to prevent Syria from becoming a lawless non-state ruled by terrorist groups like Libya or Iraq after sadam Hussain. So, Putin's main purpose is to protect Syrian Army and syrian statehood. It is time for america to its egoistic stand and support Russian rational and logical stand on syria. Most important thing is..first of all, Putin wants to preserve syria as a state. That's what he is trying to do. Russian stand is clear. For Russia and Iran, the whole fight is not about Assad. It is about statehood of syria. you can not destroy whole system of a state for the sake of one man. That's what america is doing in syria. Assad is ready to share power with moderate oppostion, not terrorists. Assad is also ready to quit if syrian people vote against him in an election overseen by UN.
In Response

by: meanbill from: USA
September 23, 2015 9:59 AM
Hey it's about Syrian state. good article? .. The US changed the regimes in Afghanistan by ousting the Taliban, in Iraq by killing Saddam, in Libya by killing Qaddafi, and is now trying to change the leadership of Syria, [BUT], did the US foolishness bring peace to any of those countries, or did they just bring war?
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