Nov 14, 2019

How will History Remember Russia’s Role in Syria?

Ahmed al-Khalid

The former US Marine Corps Intelligence Officer, and former United Nations Weapons Inspector, Scott Ritter puts the question in his article: how will historians come to appreciate what Russia accomplished in Syria?

The analyst has criticized the US’ policy and represented Russia as a major positive power in Syrian conflict. Is it really so?

Let’s check and discuss the alternative view of the journalist.

At a time when the credibility of the United States as either an unbiased actor or reliable ally lies in tatters, Russia has emerged as the one major power whose loyalty to its allies is unquestioned, and whose ability to serve as an honest broker between seemingly intractable opponents is unmatched”

It’s perfectly clear to everyone that the USA always use the double-standards policy in their international business. The recent example is an unexpected withdrawal of American troops from Syria and Washington’s approval to create the so-called “safe-zone”.

This move has allowed Turkey to launch a “Peace Spring” military operation aimed at elimination of Kurdish militia – the main US’ allies in Syria.

The Kurdish leadership and average citizens perceived it as a univocal betrayal. At the same time the Kurds have bought into idea of increasing cooperation with the legitimate Syrian Government and Russia.

The U.S. was spearheading a covert program to provide weapons and equipment to anti-Assad forces, funneling shipments from Libya through Turkey and into rebel-controlled areas of Syria. This CIA-run effort, which eventually morphed into a formal operation known as Timber Sycamore, helped fuel an increase in the level of violence inside Syria.”

Obviously, intelligence agencies launched a covert program in 2012 which included smuggling weapons and terrorists training activities. This CIA program included funding, weapon supply and training of rebels who fought against Assad.

According to US officials, thousands of rebels were trained.

President Obama gave a secret order to the CIA to start supplying weaponry to Syrian rebels in 2013.

Jane’s Information Group had also confirmed a tender procedure on weaponry shipment. There also was an offer on the US Federal Business Opportunities website for a weapon shipment from Eastern Europe to Tasucu city in Turkey and Aqaba in Jordan. This offer was deleted later.

By the way, everybody remembers the recent breaking news when journalists discovered the US-controlled method of weapons smuggling from Eastern Europe to militants in Syria.

The Russians suggested a solution — the disarmament of Syrian chemical weapons under the supervision of the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). When Secretary of State John Kerry opened the door to that possibility, Russia and Syria jumped on the opportunity, paving the way for one of the great disarmament achievements of modern times, an action that won the OPCW the Nobel Peace Prize for 2013. The disarmament of Syria’s chemical weapons was a huge success, for which Russia received little recognition, despite the major role it played in conceiving and overseeing its implementation.”

It’s hard to say that Russia providing its peacekeeping mission in disarmament of CW expected the West’s recognition. Despite that, Assad’s CW disarmament was one of the main things which prevented the escalation of the Syrian conflict, and direct US military intervention.

Russia’s success showed the readiness of the Syrian President to hold negotiations and compromise. The Kremlin managed to turn the conflict’s focus toward dialogue.

Moreover, the process of CW disarmament – which was witnessed by international specialists – didn’t stop, but drastically reduced the number of provocations with chemical weapons. The last one was prepared by “Hayat Tahrir al Sham” extremists. However it was prevented.

The impact of the Russian intervention was as dramatic as it was decisive. Almost immediately, the Russian air force helped turn the tide on the field of battle, allowing the Syrian army to launch attacks against both the anti-Assad opposition and Islamic State after years of losing ground.”

This claim does not need to be proved. It’s obvious that Russia’s support has dramatically changed the power balance – mostly with the help of Russian aviation and military advisors.

Russia has long-time experience in fighting radical Islamists inside their own country. That’s why Russian skills have saved Syria from imminent transformation into a middle-century Califate.

Whether American historians will ever be capable of doing the same is unknown. But this much is true: In the years to come, children will be born of parents whose lives were not terminated or otherwise destroyed by a larger Syrian conflict that almost assuredly would have transpired if not for the honest broker services provided by Russia.”

The main idea of this story is not who’s name will be written in history books. Will this most fierce and bloody conflict be able to end during our history? That is the main idea.

Russia has proven its potential to be a peacemaker, and this has given Syria a chance to save its history, culture and heritage.

The West also can help to do that, just by its inactivity. All they must do is stop preventing Assad and Moscow restoring peace in the Arab Republic.