Syria may ask Russia for military intervention if necessary

TheOpposition fighters at the front line in the al-Zahra area, northwest Aleppo suburb on August 24. (AFP/VNA)

On September 17, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem announced that the Damascus government may ask Russia to deploy military forces on its territory in case the crisis worsens.

Speaking on national television, Mr. Muallem emphasized that Syria and Russia have not yet had joint military operations on the ground, but if deemed necessary, Damascus will study and make a proposal on this issue.

According to the above official, Syria is still in control of the situation and the most urgent need now is ammunition and modern weapons to be able to deal with the advanced weapons that terrorist groups are using.

Foreign Minister Muallem also said that military cooperation between Syria and Russia currently only stops at providing weapons and training in the use of new weapons from Moscow, while affirming that Russia is Syria's strategic partner.

The Syrian government official's statements came at the same time as an unnamed Syrian military source said that the Syrian army had recently begun using new Russian-made ground and air weapons.

Previously, on September 16, Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari also said that Russia should conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) organization on Syrian territory as the US and its allies are doing.

Meanwhile, on the same day, speaking at a press conference in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that Russia's main assistance to Syria is an effort to prevent IS forces from becoming a disaster for the region./.

According to VN+