The Pentagon: Russia seeks a permanent military presence in Syria, in defiance of the US military presence
The US Department of Defense announced that Russia is seeking a permanent military presence in Syria, and that this Russian move is considered a challenge to the US positions in the Middle East, noting the escalation in the number of serious incidents between Russian and American forces.
General Kenneth Mckenzie, Commander of the Central Command of the US Armed Forces, said in a press conference: “Russia seeks to undermine American influence and strengthen its identity as a global superpower, and Russia’s measures in the region include creating a permanent military base in Syria, where it intervenes periodically in the international coalition campaign against ISIS ”.
General Mckinsei indicated that Russia is strengthening its military presence in Syria thanks to the agreement to lease a naval military base in the city of Tartus.
In September 2020, the Central Command in eastern Syria deployed, in response to the dangerous rise in unauthorized and unsafe communications for the Russians with the coalition forces, a radar station for electronic surveillance and a group of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, in addition to an increase in the number of combat patrol flights of the US forces. .
He also added, “I expect that Russia will continue to challenge the presence of the United States with the availability of appropriate capabilities by presenting itself as an alternative to the West and trying to play the role of mediator in regional conflicts, and by supplying weapons without imposing restrictions on the list of its users.”
The Pentagon spokesman, John Kirby, considered that “Russia was not an auxiliary party in the Syrian arena,” and warned against taking any provocative measures that might lead to incidents with the American forces.
