From Russian troops already in Syria, says Ya’alon
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon says Russian forces have arrived in Syria in recent days to aid President Bashar Assad’s beleaguered government.
Ya’alon tells reporters Thursday Moscow sent military advisers and an active force to set up an air base. He says the base, near the Syrian city of Latakia, could be used to deploy fighter jets and helicopters in strikes against Islamic State.
Ya’alon’s disclosure is the latest indication of a Russian military buildup in Syria that has concerned the United States and NATO.
Moscow has backed Assad throughout Syria’s 4.5-year civil war, in which more than 250,000 people have been killed. The US sees Assad as the cause of the crisis and has warned Moscow against beefing up its presence.
— AP
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