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Sources: Russian troops join war in Syria
[Reuters] Russian forces have begun participating in military operations in support of government troops in Syria, three Lebanese sources said on Wednesday. The sources gave the most forthright account yet from the region, though one of the sources said the number of Russians involved so far was small.

Two of the Lebanese sources said the Russians were establishing two bases in Syria, one near the coast and one further inland which would be a base of operations. He said, "The Russians are no longer just advisors. The Russians have decided to join the war against terrorism."

US officials said Russia has recently sent two tank landing ships and additional cargo aircraft to Syria and deployed a small number of naval infantry forces. The officials said Russia's intent was not clear. One suggested the focus may be on preparing an airfield near the port city of Latakia, an Assad stronghold. The officials have not ruled out the possibility that Russia may want to use the airfield for air combat missions.

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to his Russian counterpart for the second time in four days to express concern over such reports, warning that it could fan more violence. The White House said it was closely monitoring the situation.

Russia has declined to comment on the scale and scope of its military presence. Damascus has denied Russians were involved in combat, but a Syrian official said the presence of experts had increased in the past year.

Germany's foreign minister warned Russia against increased military intervention, saying the Iran nuclear deal and new UN initiatives offered a starting point for a political solution to the war.
An Nahar adds:
At least three Russian military transport planes have landed in Syria in recent days, U.S. officials said Tuesday. The aircraft have landed at the airport in Latakia on Syria's Mediterranean coast over the past several days, U.S. officials told Agence La Belle France Presse on condition of anonymity. Two of the aircraft were giant Antonov-124 Condor planes and a third was a passenger flight, one of the officials said.

The Russians have installed modular housing units -- enough for "hundreds" of people -- at the airport, as well as portable air traffic control equipment, the official noted.

"All of this seems to be suggesting that Russia is planning to do some sort of forward air-operating hub out of this airfield," the official said.

Bulgaria has refused permission for Russian aircraft to enter its airspace, and Greece said Tuesday that Washington had asked it to also deny Russian overflights.
Posted by: ryuge 2015-09-10
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=429046