The ones teaming up with Al-Nusra and ISIS moved in when it became clear that no one not the U.S. not Europe not the other Middle east countries were going to get involved in Syria. This has been the problem in the Middle East for longer than I have been alive you get involved you risk getting stuck in a quagmire you stay on the sidelines you risk a failed state radical extermist taking it over.
you stay on the sidelines you risk a failed state radical extermist taking it over.
Your characterization is all wrong, it wasn't a risk...it was the intent. And no one stayed on the sidelines, they pumped billions into creating the chaos that unfolded in Syria. That is why Putin stepped up to help out Assad and now that Assad can stand on his own Putin is leaving, as promised.
The results of Russian operation in Syria are:
Defence MinisterSergei Shoigu to Putin: Mr President,
In accordance with your instructions, we began the Syrian operation on September 30. In total, over the course of this time, we have carried out more than
9,000 flights, and for the first time, we carried out massive strikes with dispersed weaponry at a distance of over 1,500 kilometres using both air- and sea-based missiles.
In this time, as a result of the strikes, we were able to significantly hinder,and in some places completely
stop resource support for terrorists by intercepting hydrocarbon trade, blocking the main routes for hydrocarbon supplies to Turkey and the main routes for weapons and ammunition deliveries to militants.
The terrorists have been driven out of Latakia, communication has been restored with Aleppo, Palmyra is under siege and combat actions are being continued to liberate it from unlawful armed groups. We have cleared most of the provinces of Hama and Homs, unblocked the Kweires airbase, which was blocked for more than three years, established control over oil and gas fields near Palmyra: three large fields that, as of now, have begun to operate steadily.
Over 2,000 criminals who have come from Russia have been eliminated in Syria’s territory, including 17 field commanders.
Our air force destroyed 209 facilities for producing, processing and transferring fuel, as well as 2,912 sources of petroleum product delivery.
In total, with support from our air force, the
Syrian troops liberated 400 towns and over 10,000 square kilometres of territory. We have had a significant turning point in the fight against terrorism.
Organisations involved in this work as a result of the negotiation process have begun taking active steps to ensure the ceasefire (there are currently 42 such organisations); plus, an additional 40 towns that joined the ceasefire.
There is monitoring over observance of the ceasefire; a fairly large number of unmanned aerial vehicles – over 70 – are being used for this purpose, as are all means of gathering intelligence, including electronic intelligence and our satellite constellation.
I could continue this report, Mr President, but I think these are the main outcomes of our work at this time.
Meeting with Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu