Syrian Operation: Russia 'Turns the Tide of War', Expands Its Role in Mideast

© Sputnik / Dmitry Vinogradov / Go to the mediabankA Su-34 fighter-bomber equipped with the Khibiny system takes off from the Hmeymim Air Base in the Syrian province of Latakia. File photo
A Su-34 fighter-bomber equipped with the Khibiny system takes off from the Hmeymim Air Base in the Syrian province of Latakia. File photo - Sputnik International
Subscribe
It has been two years since Russia launched its military campaign in Syria, which initially faced skepticism and criticism in the West. Over this period of time, Moscow has not only significantly contributed to fighting terrorism and stabilizing the situation Syria, but also proved its political role in the Middle East, a geopolitical analyst said.

"After two years of Russia’s military operations in Syria, it is now clear that its results have been successful both in military and political terms. Russia has turned the tide of the conflict. Russia is now playing a key role in the Syrian settlement and its influence in the Middle East is beyond any doubt," Giampiero Venturi, Italian geopolitical analyst with the website Difesa Online, told Sputnik Italy.

Moscow has been conducting an anti-terrorist operation in Syria since September 30, 2015. Unlike the operation by the US-led international coalition, the Russian efforts in Syria are fully legitimate since the campaign was launched at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

According to Venturi, the situation in Syria underscores the importance of global efforts against terrorism, especially against Daesh. Russia’s involvement has changed the political and military situation in Syria, but it also sheds light on the geopolitical balance in the Middle East, a region that has been the "victim of Western political mistakes" for the last two decades.

© REUTERS / Omar SanadikiA Russian soldier stands guard near a Syrian national flag drawn on the wall as rebel fighters and their families evacuate the besieged Waer district in the central Syrian city of Homs, after an agreement reached between rebels and Syria's army, Syria May 21, 2017
A Russian soldier stands guard near a Syrian national flag drawn on the wall as rebel fighters and their families evacuate the besieged Waer district in the central Syrian city of Homs, after an agreement reached between rebels and Syria's army, Syria May 21, 2017 - Sputnik International
A Russian soldier stands guard near a Syrian national flag drawn on the wall as rebel fighters and their families evacuate the besieged Waer district in the central Syrian city of Homs, after an agreement reached between rebels and Syria's army, Syria May 21, 2017

 

Sunday saw the complete withdrawal of militants from the western Syrian city of Homs - Sputnik International
Syrian Army Completes Anti-Daesh Operation in Eastern Part of Homs Province
"In 2013, [former US President Barack] Obama said, Assad’s 'days are numbered.' Four years have passed and Assad is still in power and his influence on the situation in Syria is greater than several years ago. In fact, he’s winning the war and he owes that to Russia’s involvement," the analyst said.

He also underscored that the Russian operation in Syria is an example of an effective counterterrorism campaign that has "real results."

"Russia proved that it is possible to fight terrorism with military force. What is needed is an international alliance of countries, that would have a clear understanding of their goals," Venturi pointed out.

Commenting on possible future developments in the region, the Italian expert suggested that Russia is likely to play the role of mediator in the new political and military environment.

"Iran will return to the international arena in the future, but Israel is not ready to accept Tehran’s expanding role in Syria and the Middle East as a whole. Russia is the only country that can talk to Iran and at the same time give security guarantees to Iran. In the long run, Russia will be a mediator in the Middle East," he concluded.

 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала