Russia has long supported the Assad regime in their now 4 and a half year civil war in Syria. However in recent weeks Russia have begun to step up their presence in the area in a major way.
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Recently they sent 200 naval officers to Syria and now they have brought in seven T-90 tanks to an airfield near Latakia, an Assad stronghold.
According to officials that spoke to Yahoo anonymously, it appears Russia is setting up a forward air operating base. it’s to be noted that no combat aircraft have yet to arrive but two military cargo flights arrive daily.
While Russia claims they are well within international law and their enemy is ISIS, there are still many doubts and concerns of a possible U.S. & Russia run-in on the battlefield.
Will we be at war with Russia within the next 10 years? Sound off in the comments below!
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From Yahoo:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Russia has positioned about a half dozen tanks at an airfield at the center of a military buildup in Syria, two U.S. officials said on Monday, adding that the intentions of Moscow’s latest deployment of heavy military equipment were unclear.
Moscow has come under increased international pressure in recent days to explain its moves in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a 4-1/2-year war.
The Pentagon declined to directly comment on the Reuters report, saying it could not discuss U.S. intelligence. But a spokesman said recent actions by Moscow suggested plans to establish a forward air operating base.
