Moscow and Tehran Hold Discussions on Syria, Says Kremlin
The leaders of Russia and Iran have demonstrated “unconditional support” for Damascus as it combats terrorism. Read Full Article at RT.com
On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin communicated with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as noted in a Kremlin statement. The conversation primarily addressed the “escalating situation” in Syria.
The leaders determined that the ongoing large-scale offensive by Islamist militants around Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, poses a threat to the sovereignty and socio-economic stability of the nation. They reaffirmed their “unconditional support” for the measures taken by Damascus to “restore constitutional order and territorial integrity of the country.” Additionally, Putin and Pezeshkian highlighted the necessity of coordinating actions within the framework of the ‘Astana format,’ which includes Türkiye.
Last week, various Syrian rebels and terrorists, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a significant attack against government forces in northwest Syria. Previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, HTS is classified as a terrorist organization by Syria, Russia, Iran, the US, and several other nations.
The militants have claimed to have seized substantial areas in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces, with some reaching the heart of Aleppo city.
In response, Damascus has reportedly managed to halt the insurgents near Hama in central Syria after bolstering its forces. Syrian President Bashar Assad has vowed to “eliminate terrorists” and hold accountable their “sponsors and supporters.”
The Syrian military acknowledged the loss of dozens of its troops during the offensive while estimating terrorist casualties at around 1,000. Government forces received support from Russian airstrikes targeting terrorist strongholds, weapon caches, and ammunition depots.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Monday that Russian warplanes stationed in Syria had conducted strikes against militant forces in the preceding days. He reaffirmed Russia’s backing of the Syrian government, mentioning ongoing communications between Moscow and Damascus regarding the current situation.
Since intervening in the Syrian conflict in 2015, Russia has played a significant role in delivering heavy defeats to various terrorist groups, including al-Nusra and the Islamic State. Russia continues to maintain a substantial military presence in Syria, with operational bases in Hmeimim and Tartus.
The recent Islamist assault marks the first significant confrontation between Syrian rebels and government forces since March 2020, when a ceasefire was established through negotiations by Russia and Türkiye.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News