Fabricated Claims About Russian Troops in Syria

by Stephen Lendman

We heard the same refrain before. It keeps repeating about nonexistent “Russian aggression” in Ukraine.

Now it’s Syria. On Monday, its Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi called rumors about Russia building up its military presence in his country “fabricated by intelligence agencies of the West and some Arab countries.”

“This hostile campaign is aimed at creating the impression that the Syrian state has become so weak that it has to seek direct military assistance from its friends.”

“Our relations with Russians, including in the military sphere, have been developing for a long time. However, there are no Russian troops in Syria. Russia conducts no military activities on land, at sea or in the air.”

On Wednesday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he has no information about any plans for deploying Russian troops abroad anywhere.

“I know nothing about that,” he said. “This is the first time I heard about it.” The last time Putin asked the upper house Federation Council to authorize sending Russian forces abroad was in March 2014. He issued a statement at the time, saying:

“Due to the emergency situation in Ukraine and a threat being posed to the lives of Russian nationals, our compatriots, and the Russian military contingent stationed in Ukraine (the Autonomous Republic of Crimea) in compliance with international agreements, I ask the Federation Council for permit to use Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine until social and political situation in the country stabilizes."

Under Article 102 of Russia's Constitution, Federation Council members are responsible for deciding whether to deploy government troops abroad. They approved Putin’s request unanimously. They were never sent.

Russia has longstanding political, economic and military relations with Syria - in full compliance with international law. On Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharov explained, saying:

“We never made a secret out of our military-technical cooperation with Syria. We have long supplied arms and military equipment to Syria. We are doing it in compliance with existing contracts and in full compliance with international law.”

“I can confirm and reiterate that there are Russian military specialists in Syria who help to use arriving equipment.”

“(I)f additional measures in the interests of boosting anti-terrorism efforts are required, then, undoubtedly, these issues will be additionally considered, but exclusively on the basis of international law of Russian legislature.”

Arms deliveries are to combat US-imported Islamic State and other takfiri terrorists. Washington, rogue partners and irresponsible media sources irresponsibly bash Russia for legitimately supporting an ally - against US-sponsored aggression, Obama using terrorist invaders to do his dirty work. More on this below.

Moscow will continue fulfilling all its contractual obligations, including providing humanitarian aid. Washington pressured Bulgaria to close its airspace to Russian aircraft heading to Syria. Greece so far withstood similar bullying.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said “alternative routes will be found.” Humanitarian flights will continue, delivering vital aid. Iran responsibly said its airspace is open for Russian deliveries.

John Kerry displayed typical US arrogance - criticizing legitimate Russian aid and support for an ally, ignoring Washington’s full responsibility for war to oust Syria’s popularly elected government, creating the world’s greatest refugee crisis from all its aggressive conflicts, and threatening belligerence against against the Europe’s leading peacemaker for doing the right thing.

Washington Post editors bashed Russia headlining “Mr. Putin makes moves in Syria, exploiting America’s inaction,” saying:

“Not for the first time, the president appears to have badly misread the Russian ruler…Moscow appears to be doubling down,” regurgitating anti-Putin propaganda, falsely claiming he’s preparing to deploy military forces and “carry out air operations” supporting Assad.

Wall Street Journal editors reported the same Big Lie, claiming “Russia may be preparing for a major military deployment to” support Assad - despite no evidence proving it.

They cited unnamed “Western diplomats,” alleging “a Russian expeditionary force…already in Syria preparing for the arrival of jets and attack helicopters to carry out strikes against the Islamic State.”

“…Russia will do whatever it wants in Syria, and the US can do nothing about it,” they blustered.

In March 2011, Obama launched naked aggression against  sovereign independent Syria - supported by Britain, France, Canada, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other rogue state allies.

Longstanding US plans call for replacing all independent governments with pro-Western puppet regimes. Wars are waged when other strategies fail.

Syria’s defeat would isolate Iran, making it vulnerable to US aggression, planned long ago, to be implemented at Washington’s discretion - by Obama or his successor.

Global conflicts begin this way. Endless US aggression and challenging Russia irresponsibly risk WW III, threatening humanity’s survival. Stopping Washington’s reckless agenda should be top priority for all peace activists worldwide.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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