Russia can ramp up military presence in Syria within ‘hours’

President Vladimir Putin warns that Russia could ramp up its military presence in Syria within “several hours” if needed, as he urges all sides of the conflict to respect a ceasefire.

“If there’s a need, Russia literally within several hours can ramp up its presence in the region to the size required for the unfolding situation and use the whole arsenal of possibilities we have at our disposal,” Putin says in the Kremlin.

“We would not want to do that, a military escalation is not our choice,” he adds as he decorated officers who served in the war-torn country.

“And that’s why we put our hopes in the common sense of all parties, in the commitment to the peace process of both the Syrian authorities and the opposition.”

Putin’s warning comes after the Russian strongman on Monday ordered the surprise withdrawal of most of Russia’s armed forces from Syria, saying Moscow’s task had been “on the whole” completed.

— AFP