29 Mar 2024
Wednesday 5 July 2017 - 15:48
Story Code : 267198

US escalation in Syria strengthens Iran-Russia partnership

Al-Monitor | Hamidreza Azizi: Six years after the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the eastern part of the country hasbecome a critical hotspotthat could determine the balance of power between the various domestic and international forces involved.

While the United States is becoming increasingly assertive in keeping the Syrian army and its allied forces away from the Iraqi border, Syrian President Basharal-Assads main allies, namely Iran and Russia, have started toredefine their strategiesto preserve their vital interests in the war-torn country.

The United States'shooting downof a Syrian fighter jeton June 18 was regarded as an indicator of elevated US military activism in Syria in support of its partners. In fact, it was a new peak of direct confrontation between the United States and the Syrian government thathad started weeks earlier,when American forces declaredit a "red line" ifpro-Assad forces were to approach the southeasternal-Tanfregion, which hosts a base of the US-led coalition.

Reacting to the shooting down of the Syrian aircraft, Russiadrew its own red line, with the Defense Ministry declaring that any airborne objects found west of the Euphrates River would be consideredtargets.

Read more here
https://theiranproject.com/vdccomqi42bqes8.-ya2.html
Your Name
Your Email Address