Moscow has vehemently condemned what it calls “external forces” attempting to escalate the conflict in Syria. This comes amidst reports from Ukrainian military intelligence suggesting that Russia is preparing to deploy mercenaries to bolster its struggling allies in Damascus.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, placed blame on outside actors for instigating a recent surge in insurgent offensives. this follows a shocking advance by Islamist militants, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who seized control of the city of Aleppo over the weekend.
“This is an audacious act,” Zakharova stated, emphasizing moscow’s unwavering support for a counter-offensive by the Syrian government. Her comments come despite reports indicating that Russia has begun withdrawing ships from its naval base in Tartus. Militia forces, spearheaded by HTS, are currently engaged in fierce clashes with Syrian army troops just 50 miles outside the provincial capital of Hama.
Damascus’s ministry of defense announced the deployment of important reinforcements to Hama city to bolster frontline troops. Simultaneously occurring, insurgents claim to be steadily gaining control of towns in the Hama countryside northwest of the city, as a second front pushes southward towards Hama.
Fighting also persists in eastern Syria, where forces loyal to Damascus, supported by Iranian and Iranian-backed militias, are locked in combat with arab-majority rebel militias from the city of Deir Ezzour. The Pentagon revealed that it had destroyed rocket launchers, a tank, and mortars that posed a “clear and imminent threat” to US and allied forces near the Euphrates River. This marks the second such preemptive strike in the area within a week.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has relied heavily on support from Moscow, Tehran, and iranian-backed iraqi militias to maintain control of the fractured nation. The country descended into a proxy war following a popular uprising against Assad’s rule in 2011.
“This is the largest challenge to assad’s rule in years,” a Western diplomat commented, highlighting the significance of the insurgents’ sudden territorial gains in the northwest. This marks the first time in over a decade of civil war in Syria that the entire city of Aleppo appears to be fully under opposition control.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) reported that planned rotations of Russian troops from Syria have been suspended, citing low morale among Russian military personnel fighting in Syria due to the surprise insurgent advance. Both the Syrian army and Russian backup units have suffered “significant losses,” HUR stated, describing a “chaotic” retreat as troops abandoned military equipment and weapons.
According to HUR, Moscow intends to reinforce its forces in Syria by deploying private military companies, likely drawn from Russia’s Africa Corps, a rebranded version of the state-funded Wagner group militia.
“We expect these forces to arrive in Syria soon,” HUR stated.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to meet with his counterparts from Iran and Turkey in Qatar in the coming days for urgent consultations on the Syrian crisis. Ankara has supported rebel groups in northwestern Syria, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Russian leader Vladimir Putin in a phone call that Damascus should engage in political consultations to end the civil war. “Turkey is doing its utmost to restore calm in Syria,” Erdoğan added.
A Kremlin readout of the call indicated that Putin “stressed the urgent need” to halt the insurgency, urging Ankara to play a more active role in achieving this goal.
The Syrian government, backed by Russia, is intensifying its military campaign in the rebel-held province of idlib, raising concerns about a humanitarian crisis. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, in a recent address, defended his government’s actions, stating they were aimed at ”restoring stability and constitutional order across the country.”
Though, the head of Syria’s White helmets, the volunteer civil defense organization, painted a grim picture of the situation. Addressing the UN Security Council, he reported that Russian airstrikes on Idlib earlier this week had rendered four hospitals inoperable. “As the map of military control has changed, brutal attacks launched by the Syrian regime, Russia, and Iranian cross-border militias on Syrians have escalated especially in areas outside their control in north-west Syria,” he stated.
The White helmets,known for their heroic rescue efforts in war-torn areas,have responded to a staggering 275 attacks in recent times,resulting in the deaths of 100 civilians and injuries to 360 others.
“As the map of military control has changed, brutal attacks launched by the Syrian regime, Russia, and Iranian cross-border militias on Syrians have escalated especially in areas outside their control in north-west Syria,” he said.The White Helmets have responded to 275 attacks that killed 100 civilians and wounded 360, he added.
## Expert Interview: Russian Involvement in Syria Amid Rising Insurgency
**World Today News:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Alistair ingram.You are a leading expert on the Syrian conflict and Russian foreign policy in the Middle East. The situation in Syria appears to be escalating rapidly with insurgents making significant territorial gains, including capturing the city of Aleppo. How do you interpret the recent developments?
**Dr. Ingram:** This is undoubtedly a major turning point in the Syrian conflict. The insurgents, notably HTS, have demonstrated a level of coordination and military capability rarely seen in recent years. Their capture of Aleppo, a strategic and symbolically significant city, is a significant blow to the Assad regime and its allies, including Russia.
**World Today News:** Russia has strongly condemned what it calls “external forces” attempting to escalate the conflict. What is your assessment of Moscow’s role in this situation?
**Dr. Ingram:** Moscow’s rhetoric is unsurprising. They consistently blame external actors for the troubles in Syria, attempting to deflect duty for the Assad regime’s brutality and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Though, Russia’s own involvement in Syria is undeniable. They have provided military support to the Assad regime for years, helping them maintain control.
**World Today News: ** Reports suggest Russia might be preparing to deploy mercenaries to bolster its struggling allies in Damascus. How likely is this scenario and what impact could it have?
**Dr. ingram:** These reports cannot be ignored, and the deployment of mercenaries, particularly from the Wagner Group, is certainly within the realm of possibility. This would be a clear indication of Russia’s increasing desperation and its commitment to propping up the Assad regime, irrespective of the human cost.Such a move could further escalate the conflict and lead to increased suffering for the Syrian people.
**World today News:** Furthermore, we are seeing a recent uptick in US military action against groups aligned with the Assad regime. Could you elaborate on the implications of these American strikes?
**dr. Ingram:** The Pentagon’s preemptive strikes underscore the ongoing tension between the US and Russia in Syria. While both powers have actively avoided direct confrontation, these strikes highlight the complex and delicate balance of power in the region. The US is committed to countering the influence of Iranian-backed groups in Syria, which poses a threat to US interests in the Middle East.
**World Today News:** what do you foresee for the future of Syria?
**Dr. Ingram:** The situation in Syria remains highly volatile and unpredictable. The recent insurgent advances have exposed the fragility of the Assad regime and its reliance on foreign support. Whether the insurgents can maintain their momentum and capitalize on their strategic gains remains to be seen. Ultimately, a lasting solution to the Syrian crisis can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement that addresses the legitimate grievances of all parties involved.
**World today News:** thank you for your insightful analysis, Dr.Ingram.
