Home
[size=32]Russian Flights Over Iraq and Iran Escalate Tension With U.S.[/size]
© SANA, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images A Russian plane in Latakia, Syria, on Saturday. The Syrian government said it was carrying humanitarian aid. WASHINGTON — Russia is using an air corridor over Iraq and Iran to fly military equipment and personnel to a new air hub in Syria, openly defying American efforts to block the shipments and significantly increasing tensions with Washington.
American officials disclosed Sunday that at least seven giant Russian Condor transport planes had taken off from a base in southern Russia during the past week to ferry equipment to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
Their destination was an airfield south of Latakia, Syria, which could become the most significant new Russian military foothold in the Middle East in decades, American officials said.
The Obama administration initially hoped it had hampered the Russian effort to move military equipment and personnel into Syria when Bulgaria, a NATO member, announced it would close its airspace to the flights. But Russia quickly began channeling its flights over Iraq and Iran, which Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said on Sunday would continue despite American objections.
“There were military supplies, they are ongoing, and they will continue,” Mr. Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. “They are inevitably accompanied by Russian specialists, who help to adjust the equipment, to train Syrian personnel how to use this weaponry.”
Moscow’s military buildup in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad in a four-and-a-half-year civil war, adds a new friction point in its relations with the United States. The actions also lay bare another major policy challenge for the United States: how to encourage Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq, who came to power with the blessing of the United States, to block the Russian flights.
American diplomats raised the issue with the Iraqi government on Sept. 5, hoping that the Iraqis would follow Bulgaria’s example and declare their airspace off limits to the Russian transport planes.
The Iraqis responded that they would look into the matter, said an American official who declined to be identified because he was talking about diplomatic communications. But more than a week later, the Iraqis had yet to take action.
A spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister declined to comment on Sunday, asserting that he had no information about the Russian flights or the United States’ concerns about them.
Two years ago, American officials confronted Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, Mr. Abadi’s predecessor, when Iraq allowed Iran to fly arms, ammunition and other equipment to Syria through its airspace. In March 2013, Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Baghdad that he had a “spirited” discussion with Mr. Maliki on the issue.
Compounding Mr. Abadi’s challenge are his efforts to maintain good relations with the United States, Iran and Russia. While about 3,500 American advisers have been sent to help the Iraqis combat the Islamic State, Iraq also has received military support for that fight from Iran, which like Russia is backing Mr. Assad. Iraq also is buying weapons from Moscow, which Mr. Abadi visited in May.
With few aircraft, Iraq’s ability to defend its airspace is extremely limited. But it could tell the Russians that they do not have the clearance to fly through Iraqi airspace and ask for American help in detecting and discouraging Russian flights.
“Since Maliki relinquished the premiership, power and authority in Iraq have become increasingly diffused with various players now exercising unilateral power over the use of force,” Ramzy Mardini, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, a research group in Washington, said in a telephone interview from Erbil, Iraq.
“Neutrality is the best Washington can hope for in Baghdad,” Mr. Mardini added. “Iraq is not a dictatorial state like many of the U.S. allies in the Middle East. Iraq is still a fragile state whose leaders are exposed to politics. In the discourse of Iraqi politics, forcing Abadi to side with the U.S. against Assad is like realigning him with the Sunni axis against the Shia one.”
A Russian Embassy official in Tehran told Russian news agencies on Wednesday that Iran had approved Russia’s use of Iranian airspace to fly to Syria, but the official insisted the cargo was merely humanitarian aid.
The Obama administration’s warnings to the Russians were decidedly stark.
On the same day that the administration approached Iraq and other nations about the Russian flights, Mr. Kerry called Mr. Lavrov and warned the Kremlin not to vastly expand its military support for the Syrian government. Mr. Kerry said it would fuel the conflict and might even lead to an inadvertent confrontation with the American-led coalition that is carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in Syria, the State Department noted in a statement about the call.
“It appears now that Assad is worried enough that he’s inviting Russian advisers in and Russian equipment in,” President Obama said in a meeting with troops at Fort Meade, Md., last week. “And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria, but we are going to be engaging Russia to let them know that you can’t continue to double-down on a strategy that’s doomed to failure.”
But those warnings do not appear to have swayed President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who appears determined to create new facts on the ground in Syria.
According to American intelligence, about 200 Russian marines and six Russian howitzers now guard the air base south of Latakia. More prefabricated buildings have been delivered, increasing the housing capacity to 1,500 people. Dozens of Russian vehicles have been observed at the base, including about a dozen advanced infantry fighting vehicles.
American intelligence has not detected Russian fighter jets. But some American officials said Russian SU-25 and MiG-31 attack planes might arrive in the next phase of the buildup. They could be sent in crates and assembled in Syria or be flown to the base, officials said.
The Russian move could serve multiple purposes, according to analysts. In addition to strengthening Mr. Assad and buttressing the Kremlin’s plan to create a new anti-ISIL coalition that includes Iran and the Syrian government, it positions Russia to have major influence in Syria’s future and draws attention away from Russia’s intervention in Ukraine.
“The Russians have done a masterful job of changing the subject on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New York for the 70th commemoration of the U.N. General Assembly,” said Andrew S. Weiss, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is a former Russia expert for the National Security Council, the State Department and the Pentagon.
“Instead of accepting a brushoff from the White House about Putin’s desire for a meeting with Obama, the Russians are trying to argue that you have to talk to us about Syria,” Mr. Weiss added. “I don’t believe Western governments are prepared to do very much to slow down or block the risky course the Russians are going on.”
Although the administration’s warnings to the Russians have been made public, American officials have refused to publicly discuss their appeals to the Iraqis and other nations to stop the Russian flights’ path to Syria.
“Regardless of what air corridor is being used, we’ve been clear about our concerns about continued material support to the Assad regime,” said John Kirby, the State Department spokesman. “We don’t talk about our diplomatic conversations, but we’ve asked our friends and partners in the region to ask tough questions of the Russians.”
Russia has long had a naval base at the Syrian port city of Tartus. But if the Kremlin continues its military buildup near Latakia and bases Russian warplanes there, it could greatly enhance its ability to project power in Syria and neighboring states.
“This is the most important Russian power projection in the region in decades,” said Stephen J. Blank, an expert on the Russian military at the American Foreign Policy Council, “and it will enhance Russia’s influence throughout the Levant.”
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-flights-over-iraq-and-iran-escalate-tension-with-us/ar-AAegDqZ?ocid=spartanntp
© SANA, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images A Russian plane in Latakia, Syria, on Saturday. The Syrian government said it was carrying humanitarian aid. WASHINGTON — Russia is using an air corridor over Iraq and Iran to fly military equipment and personnel to a new air hub in Syria, openly defying American efforts to block the shipments and significantly increasing tensions with Washington.American officials disclosed Sunday that at least seven giant Russian Condor transport planes had taken off from a base in southern Russia during the past week to ferry equipment to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace.
Their destination was an airfield south of Latakia, Syria, which could become the most significant new Russian military foothold in the Middle East in decades, American officials said.
The Obama administration initially hoped it had hampered the Russian effort to move military equipment and personnel into Syria when Bulgaria, a NATO member, announced it would close its airspace to the flights. But Russia quickly began channeling its flights over Iraq and Iran, which Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, said on Sunday would continue despite American objections.
“There were military supplies, they are ongoing, and they will continue,” Mr. Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. “They are inevitably accompanied by Russian specialists, who help to adjust the equipment, to train Syrian personnel how to use this weaponry.”
Moscow’s military buildup in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting President Bashar al-Assad in a four-and-a-half-year civil war, adds a new friction point in its relations with the United States. The actions also lay bare another major policy challenge for the United States: how to encourage Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq, who came to power with the blessing of the United States, to block the Russian flights.
American diplomats raised the issue with the Iraqi government on Sept. 5, hoping that the Iraqis would follow Bulgaria’s example and declare their airspace off limits to the Russian transport planes.
The Iraqis responded that they would look into the matter, said an American official who declined to be identified because he was talking about diplomatic communications. But more than a week later, the Iraqis had yet to take action.
A spokesman for the Iraqi prime minister declined to comment on Sunday, asserting that he had no information about the Russian flights or the United States’ concerns about them.
Two years ago, American officials confronted Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, Mr. Abadi’s predecessor, when Iraq allowed Iran to fly arms, ammunition and other equipment to Syria through its airspace. In March 2013, Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Baghdad that he had a “spirited” discussion with Mr. Maliki on the issue.
Compounding Mr. Abadi’s challenge are his efforts to maintain good relations with the United States, Iran and Russia. While about 3,500 American advisers have been sent to help the Iraqis combat the Islamic State, Iraq also has received military support for that fight from Iran, which like Russia is backing Mr. Assad. Iraq also is buying weapons from Moscow, which Mr. Abadi visited in May.
With few aircraft, Iraq’s ability to defend its airspace is extremely limited. But it could tell the Russians that they do not have the clearance to fly through Iraqi airspace and ask for American help in detecting and discouraging Russian flights.
“Since Maliki relinquished the premiership, power and authority in Iraq have become increasingly diffused with various players now exercising unilateral power over the use of force,” Ramzy Mardini, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, a research group in Washington, said in a telephone interview from Erbil, Iraq.
“Neutrality is the best Washington can hope for in Baghdad,” Mr. Mardini added. “Iraq is not a dictatorial state like many of the U.S. allies in the Middle East. Iraq is still a fragile state whose leaders are exposed to politics. In the discourse of Iraqi politics, forcing Abadi to side with the U.S. against Assad is like realigning him with the Sunni axis against the Shia one.”
A Russian Embassy official in Tehran told Russian news agencies on Wednesday that Iran had approved Russia’s use of Iranian airspace to fly to Syria, but the official insisted the cargo was merely humanitarian aid.
The Obama administration’s warnings to the Russians were decidedly stark.
On the same day that the administration approached Iraq and other nations about the Russian flights, Mr. Kerry called Mr. Lavrov and warned the Kremlin not to vastly expand its military support for the Syrian government. Mr. Kerry said it would fuel the conflict and might even lead to an inadvertent confrontation with the American-led coalition that is carrying out airstrikes against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, in Syria, the State Department noted in a statement about the call.
“It appears now that Assad is worried enough that he’s inviting Russian advisers in and Russian equipment in,” President Obama said in a meeting with troops at Fort Meade, Md., last week. “And that won’t change our core strategy, which is to continue to put pressure on ISIL in Iraq and Syria, but we are going to be engaging Russia to let them know that you can’t continue to double-down on a strategy that’s doomed to failure.”
But those warnings do not appear to have swayed President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, who appears determined to create new facts on the ground in Syria.
According to American intelligence, about 200 Russian marines and six Russian howitzers now guard the air base south of Latakia. More prefabricated buildings have been delivered, increasing the housing capacity to 1,500 people. Dozens of Russian vehicles have been observed at the base, including about a dozen advanced infantry fighting vehicles.
American intelligence has not detected Russian fighter jets. But some American officials said Russian SU-25 and MiG-31 attack planes might arrive in the next phase of the buildup. They could be sent in crates and assembled in Syria or be flown to the base, officials said.
The Russian move could serve multiple purposes, according to analysts. In addition to strengthening Mr. Assad and buttressing the Kremlin’s plan to create a new anti-ISIL coalition that includes Iran and the Syrian government, it positions Russia to have major influence in Syria’s future and draws attention away from Russia’s intervention in Ukraine.
“The Russians have done a masterful job of changing the subject on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New York for the 70th commemoration of the U.N. General Assembly,” said Andrew S. Weiss, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is a former Russia expert for the National Security Council, the State Department and the Pentagon.
“Instead of accepting a brushoff from the White House about Putin’s desire for a meeting with Obama, the Russians are trying to argue that you have to talk to us about Syria,” Mr. Weiss added. “I don’t believe Western governments are prepared to do very much to slow down or block the risky course the Russians are going on.”
Although the administration’s warnings to the Russians have been made public, American officials have refused to publicly discuss their appeals to the Iraqis and other nations to stop the Russian flights’ path to Syria.
“Regardless of what air corridor is being used, we’ve been clear about our concerns about continued material support to the Assad regime,” said John Kirby, the State Department spokesman. “We don’t talk about our diplomatic conversations, but we’ve asked our friends and partners in the region to ask tough questions of the Russians.”
Russia has long had a naval base at the Syrian port city of Tartus. But if the Kremlin continues its military buildup near Latakia and bases Russian warplanes there, it could greatly enhance its ability to project power in Syria and neighboring states.
“This is the most important Russian power projection in the region in decades,” said Stephen J. Blank, an expert on the Russian military at the American Foreign Policy Council, “and it will enhance Russia’s influence throughout the Levant.”
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/russian-flights-over-iraq-and-iran-escalate-tension-with-us/ar-AAegDqZ?ocid=spartanntp
» utube 9/5/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar-#Iraqidinar-Advanced Global Results-Money Movement Globally-Central B
» A large ministerial delegation will visit the region tomorrow to discuss crucial files and issue imp
» Iraq's Judiciary Under Fire: An Organized Campaign Threatens the Fortress of Justice
» The Ministry of Interior reveals to Al-Maalouma international coordination to pursue drug smugglers
» Central Bank of Iraq records more than $1 billion in currency sales in a week
» Al-Sudani launches executive works on 3 combined cycle projects in the electricity sector
» We monitored the financial allocations to develop all sectors.. Al-Sudani: The energy file represent
» Absent for (10) months.. Parliament fails to decide on the position of "President"
» Iraq's losses amount to $19 billion due to the suspension of oil exports.. Crisis in restarting the
» Minister of Electricity: Operation of the Iraqi-Gulf energy connection will be at the end of the yea
» Al-Sudani announces reaching final understandings to implement a project to produce 10,000 megawatts
» Is Iraq heading towards a salary crisis? An economic expert explains!
» Minister of Justice follows up on digital transformation steps in the ministry
» After "transgressing" the legislative authority, MP Hassan Al-Khafaji is threatened with the withdra
» Alsumaria's most prominent files in the afternoon bulletin: the withdrawal of the international coal
» Court of the Century: Courage in the Shadow of Silence
» US Institute: Washington must stop exchanging intelligence with Baghdad after eavesdropping scandal
» MP: Foreign interference in personal status law is unacceptable
» Bad news for employees in Iraq.. A salary crisis is looming
» During a month.. The Iraqi Stock Exchange trades 67 billion shares worth 43 billion dinars
» Iraq announces increase in investment volume to $69 billion in a year and a half
» The truth about stopping the payment of salaries of 7 thousand Peshmerga members
» Trump Family Cryptocurrency Project Promises to 'Ensure US Dollar Dominance'
» Within 6 months.. Jordan exports 37 gigawatts of electricity to Iraq
» Completion of drilling the first multi-section oil well in Baghdad
» Civil Status, Residence and Passports: Electronic Passport Factory to be Opened in Baghdad
» The Ministerial Council for Economy announces holding its next session in the Kurdistan Region
» A slight decrease in the dollar exchange rates in Baghdad, Basra and Erbil
» Interior: More than 40 million Iraqis have obtained the unified national card
» Protected by "influential parties" or "paying bribes" .. "unlicensed" stores selling alcoholic bever
» US efforts to combat air pollution in Iraq
» Employee salaries will be delayed and may be reduced.. Iraq enters the danger zone due to oil - Urge
» A spiral of crises threatens the Iraqi political system... “The trend of surprises” may topple the p
» Faw Grand Port: Iraq’s Gateway to the World Prepares for Takeoff Despite Challenges
» Al-Maliki: The repercussions of encroachment on the judiciary may be more dangerous than terrorism!
» Sand warns: The next strike against Al-Sudani is because of one of the ministers
» A "cold war" between Al-Sudani and Al-Maliki before a hot election year
» Iraq to introduce solar energy system to homes soon
» Dohuk Governor discusses with Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad developing trade exchange between Erbil
» Warnings against increasing MPs’ salaries: It may negatively affect the Iraqi economy
» A vital project in Kirkuk to transform wastewater and rainwater into sustainable agricultural wealth
» The repercussions of the “theft of the century” in Iraq.. Al-Maliki defends the judiciary and Al-Hak
» Parliamentarian warns: Iraq will enter a civil war in this case
» Members of Congress: Iranian oil is sold under the name of Iraqi oil!
» Industry launches new investment opportunities for various sectors
» Spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief: Iraq continues to build its air capabilities in a way that sec
» Iranian President to visit Baghdad in mid-September
» What is the agreement that took place between Iraq and America?
» Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visits the South Baghdad Power Plant,
» Iraq announces 100% completion of development road designs
» Faw Port's berths exceed 98%, accommodating five giant ships at the same time
» Parliamentary Committee Denies Al-Sudani Advisor’s Statements on Railway Project: We Will Blow Up Yo
» Will the US withdrawal schedule from Iraq begin? The Pentagon refutes the story
» Finance will suffer.. What does the drop in the price of a barrel of Iraqi oil to $70 mean?
» Who is responsible for the fluctuation of the dollar price?
» Paper nationality leaves the scene.. 93% of Iraqis now have a unified card
» Passing the investment law within two weeks.. What are the positives?
» utube 9/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- #iraqidinar -#xrp -Global Partnerships-Security-Stability-Economic-Co
» The theft of the century has mixed up its cards and its rope has been lost in its arrows
» Members of Congress: Iranian oil is sold under the name of Iraqi oil!
» With simple interest.. Agriculture announces the imminent launch of loans for farmers
» Chairman of the Integrity Commission: We are determined to draw up a six-year strategy to combat cor
» Türkiye: Iraq's progress in combating terrorism is not enough
» Transparency: Sulaymaniyah and Halabja imports during one week amounted to more than 11 billion dina
» Mr. Al-Hakim: We hope for a quick decision on the presidency of Parliament, and we must resort to th
» Minister of Resources reveals the size of Iraq's water reserves
» Parliamentary Services reveals the percentage of completed projects compared to those that have been
» Will the drop in oil affect salaries? An economist warns
» Commander-in-Chief spokesman: Iraq has achieved advanced levels in installing radars and air defense
» Spy network in Sudani office embarrasses government
» See the losses incurred by Iraq due to the region's oil smuggling
» MP holds the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for legal violations in the mechanism for issui
» MP notes on service projects in 6 Baghdad districts
» Jenin Municipality: We have started moving to rebuild the city and the camp, and the government will
» Iraq's North Gas Company increases its production of "liquid" and sulfur
» Chairman of the Integrity Commission: We are determined to draw up a six-year strategy to combat cor
» Washington: We provided financial and technical assistance to 17 companies to enhance agricultural p
» Prime Minister chairs special meeting on electricity sector
» A country neighboring Iraq loses 7.6 hectares of agricultural land daily
» Parliamentary detail on the effects of falling oil prices on the budget
» During 2024.. Northern Gas Production to Increase to More Than 2000 Million Feet
» Basra Council votes on all projects within the 2024 plan
» Iraq announces reduction of oil exports to 3.3 million barrels per day
» Al-Sudani directs to quickly complete the file of appointing holders of higher degrees and top stude
» Is Iraq on its way to becoming an Islamic state? Analysis of the political and religious future
» The Iraqi judiciary... the impregnable fortress of the people and the state
» Crises and events await Iraq if Trump wins, and the reason is "Iran's influence"
» Sami Specter in Kurdistan Tomorrow.. These are the files that will be discussed
» "Third Nationalism" angry with Kirkuk government: We do not believe in political custom and will not
» MP identifies positives of minority law, confirms parliamentary support for its passage - Urgent
» Economist to Al-Zawraa: Iraq needs to sell oil at $96 to cover the budget
» “Drawing the future of technology”.. Iraq intends to launch a satellite at a cost of 30 million doll
» Iraq steps up efforts to double non-oil revenues
» Bakhtiar Haji visits the Ministry of Finance and Economy
» Masrour Barzani: Kurdistan will remain a home for coexistence between different nationalities and re
» Faw Port is approaching launch... but what are the challenges?
» As the Kurdistan Parliament elections approach, the differences between the two ruling parties “esca
» As the Kurdistan Parliament elections approach, the differences between the two ruling parties “esca