Russia considers sending troops back to Syria

(Baonghean.vn) - On April 21, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg announced that Russia still maintains a significant military presence in Syria to "support" the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Despite announcing the withdrawal of troops, the Kremlin has continued to increase its influence on the battlefield.

Russian soldiers drive an armored vehicle near the ancient city of Palmyra, Syria on March 31. Photo: AFP.

Speaking to reporters in Türkiye, Mr. Stoltenberg said: "Despite the announcement of a partial withdrawal, we still see Russia maintaining a significant military presence to support the Assad regime in Syria."

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of Moscow's main forces in Syria, in a move that surprised the West.

A Russian Su-30SM fighter jet prepares to take off from the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province, northwestern Syria on December 16, 2015. Photo: AFP.

A day earlier, an anonymous Pentagon source said Russia had deployed artillery to northern Syria, in an area controlled by Damascus government forces.

According to US intelligence, Russia may have deployed artillery here to support government forces in the battle against the al-Nusra Front, a terrorist branch of al-Qaeda.

In addition, the Pentagon also noted an increase in Russian Air Force activities in Syria.

However, the Moscow and Damascus governments have not yet made any official response to the above reports.

A new wave of fighting that erupted last week around Aleppo province has cast a shadow over peace talks in Geneva aimed at ending the five-year civil war. Mr. Stoltenberg affirmed that the ceasefire in Syria is currently under pressure but remains the best basis for reaching a peaceful solution to the crisis through negotiations./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)