US accuses Russia of sending military transport planes to Syria

At least three Russian military transport planes have landed in Syria in the past few days, US officials said yesterday, expressing concern about the type of aid Moscow is providing to Damascus.

Three planes landed at the airport in the Mediterranean coastal city of Latakia, Syria, in the past few days, AFP quoted unnamed US officials as saying. Two were Antonov An-124s, the other was a passenger plane. The official said Russia had installed housing units, capable of housing “hundreds” of people, and mobile air traffic control equipment at the airport.

A Russian Antonov An-124 transport aircraft. Illustration photo: RIA Novosti.

Washington had earlier expressed concern after reports that Moscow was increasing military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and sending a contingent of troops to Syria.

"Our concern is that any effort to assist the al-Assad regime at this time has the potential to be destabilizing," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said yesterday.

Damascus denies information that Russian soldiers are operating on Syrian territory.

US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on September 5, warning of the risk of escalating the conflict. Russia denied the accusations, stressing that its support activities are in line with its traditional relationship with President al-Assad.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also asked Bulgaria to give a satisfactory explanation for closing its airspace to the above-mentioned aircraft.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova affirmed that Russia has always provided equipment to help the Syrian government fight terrorism. "We have been, are and will continue to support them in this fight," Ms. Zakharova told the New York Times on September 7.

According to VNE