This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34256389
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Syria conflict: Russia 'to continue Assad military aid' | Syria conflict: Russia 'to continue Assad military aid' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged continued military support for Syria's Bashar al-Assad despite growing concerns over Moscow's role in the war. | Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged continued military support for Syria's Bashar al-Assad despite growing concerns over Moscow's role in the war. |
| Mr Putin urged other countries to join Russia in sending "military-technical assistance". | Mr Putin urged other countries to join Russia in sending "military-technical assistance". |
| He said the influx refugees to Europe would have been "even bigger" without Russian support for Syria's government. | He said the influx refugees to Europe would have been "even bigger" without Russian support for Syria's government. |
| The US and its Western allies oppose President Assad, and say that backing him risks prolonging the conflict. | The US and its Western allies oppose President Assad, and say that backing him risks prolonging the conflict. |
| But Moscow has been a key ally of Mr Assad during the bloody civil war, which began in 2011. | But Moscow has been a key ally of Mr Assad during the bloody civil war, which began in 2011. |
| It says military equipment is being sent to Syria to help the government combat the so-called Islamic State. | It says military equipment is being sent to Syria to help the government combat the so-called Islamic State. |
| Refugees | Refugees |
| President Putin said on Tuesday: "We support the government of Syria… in countering the terrorist aggression. | President Putin said on Tuesday: "We support the government of Syria… in countering the terrorist aggression. |
| "We provide and will continue to provide it with the necessary military technical assistance. And we urge other countries to join us." | "We provide and will continue to provide it with the necessary military technical assistance. And we urge other countries to join us." |
| Speaking at defence summit in Tajikistan, Mr Putin also said the situation in Syria would have been "worse than in Libya" had Russia not been supporting its leadership. | Speaking at defence summit in Tajikistan, Mr Putin also said the situation in Syria would have been "worse than in Libya" had Russia not been supporting its leadership. |
| European countries have been struggling to cope with thousands of people arriving at their borders after fleeing the conflict. | European countries have been struggling to cope with thousands of people arriving at their borders after fleeing the conflict. |
| President Putin's comments come after the US expressed concern at Russia's recent movements near Syria's coastal city of Latakia. | President Putin's comments come after the US expressed concern at Russia's recent movements near Syria's coastal city of Latakia. |
| Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said on Monday that a steady flow of people and equipment suggested that Moscow was planning to establish a "forward air operating base" there. | Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said on Monday that a steady flow of people and equipment suggested that Moscow was planning to establish a "forward air operating base" there. |
| 'Humanitarian aid' | 'Humanitarian aid' |
| US officials fear that the stepped-up Russian support will strengthen the Syrian government at a time when it has been losing on the battlefield and will complicate efforts to find a political solution, the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher in New York reports. | |
| Russia has denied building up their presence in Syria, although Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that Russia would send more help to Syria if requested. | Russia has denied building up their presence in Syria, although Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that Russia would send more help to Syria if requested. |
| Syrian and Russian state media said on Saturday that two Russian cargo planes with 80 tonnes of humanitarian aid landed in Syria. | Syrian and Russian state media said on Saturday that two Russian cargo planes with 80 tonnes of humanitarian aid landed in Syria. |
| The planes reportedly flew into an airbase near Latakia - a stronghold of President Assad. Russia's defence ministry said the plane was carrying materials for setting up a tent camp for refugees. | The planes reportedly flew into an airbase near Latakia - a stronghold of President Assad. Russia's defence ministry said the plane was carrying materials for setting up a tent camp for refugees. |
| Last week, officials in Washington quoted by Reuters said Moscow had sent more aircraft and two tank landing ships to Russia's naval base in the Syrian coastal city of Tartus. | Last week, officials in Washington quoted by Reuters said Moscow had sent more aircraft and two tank landing ships to Russia's naval base in the Syrian coastal city of Tartus. |
| They also said a small number of naval infantry forces had been deployed. | They also said a small number of naval infantry forces had been deployed. |
| The war between President Assad's regime and various rebel groups has so far killed at least 240,000 people and displaced millions. | The war between President Assad's regime and various rebel groups has so far killed at least 240,000 people and displaced millions. |