Russia targets CIA-trained Syrian rebels as Iranian troops increase in Syria
Amid escalating tensions in Syria, Russian warplanes have hit CIA-trained Syrian rebels in the second day of its airstrikes, increasing the risk of a second cold war.
In addition, hundreds of Iranian troops have entered Syria to join Syrian forces loyal to the president in a ground battle combat, Lebanese sources confirmed to Reuters. The Syrian civil war, which has intensified as of late, is spilling over to global and regional levels, with several countries divided on the actions they are taking with each side.
The news comes after U.S. and Russian officials had spoken, via a secure video link on Thursday, on the ways to keep their troops from clashing with each other. Troops of both countries are fighting in Syria with different objectives. While the U.S. believes that the war could end with President Bashar Al-Assad’s resignation, Russia continues to back the official's regime.
"We made it crystal clear that, at a minimum, the priority here should be the safe operation of the air crews over Syria," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said.
Meanwhile, Lebanese sources confirmed to Reuters that in the past 10 days, Iranian troops have been spreading across Syria to mount a major ground offensive. They also said that the troops would have the backing of Assad's Lebanese Hezbollah allies and Shi'ite militia fighters from Iraq.
Moscow said that it had targeted Islamic State militants. However, the areas where Russians carried out its airstrikes are mostly held by a rival insurgent alliance, which is supported by U.S. allies including the Arab states and Turkey.
Following the Russian airstrikes, Hassan Haj Ali, the head of the Liwa Suqour al-Jabal rebel group that is part of the Free Syrian Army, said that his group base in Idlib province was hit by Russian warplanes, claiming it was struck by about 20 missiles in two separate raids. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had trained its fighters in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which the U.S. says has been done in a bid to combat the Islamic State. "Russia is challenging everyone and saying there is no alternative to Bashar," Ali added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has maintained his position, saying that air combat was launched in the wake of ISIS’ escalating violence and believed it to be a part of solution Syria needs now. "If it acts like a terrorist, if it walks like a terrorist, if it fights like a terrorist, it's a terrorist, right?" he added, noting that they follow same approach as that of the U.S. for terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Nusra.
However, Cook said the areas that had been targeted by Russia until now were not ISIS strongholds.
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