Eight years ago, the Russian army within the approval of the country’s parliament arrived in Syria. During that time (335) massacres happened and caused of killing thousands of Syrians and displaced more than three million people. Russia’s achievements in Syria include the construction of two military bases, weapons checks and several industrial contracts. In March 2011, along with the Arab spring, Syrians began demonstrations against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, but unlike Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, Assad remains in power by support of Russia and Iran, nevertheless thousands of citizens have been killed and millions displaced.
Russia in Damascus and New York
On September 30, 2015, 158 out of 170 members of the Russian Duma approved the deployment of Russian troops in Syria. Russian and Syrian media reported that move was to protect civilians from armed groups in the middle country. However it turned out that the aim was to keep Assad and establish Russia’s foothold not only in Syria, but throughout the Middle East.
Russia’s support for Assad was not only military assistance on the ground, but also internationally. Moscow has vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria 13 times. Moscow has voted against any decision to extend the work of the International Commission of Inquiry into Syria, the establishment of an independent and impartial investigation mechanism, the work of the Chemical Weapons Disarmament Committee, and rejected all UN Human Rights Council resolutions on Syria.
Five years and (335) massacres
According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, between September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2019, when Russian forces entered Syria, about (6,686) civilians were killed in 335 Moscow massacres, and at least (1,083) attacks on significant civilian institutions, includes (201) attacks on schools and medical institutions. According to reports, (1,928) children and (908) women (adult females) were among the victims. The first and second years of the intervention recorded the highest number of victims. Aleppo topped the list with (2,799) deaths, followed by Idlib (2,408) and Deir Ezzor (417).
In the detail of the report, it has mentioned that from (2015 to 2016), (3,734) civilians were killed, including (1,047) children and (414) women. From (2016 to 2017), (1,547) civilians were killed, including (448) children and (236) women. Meanwhile, in the year (2017-2018) (958) civilians were killed, including (354) children and (211) women. In (2018/2019), (447) civilians were killed, including (79) children and (47) women.
Regarding the number of massacres, in (2015 and 2016), Russian forces committed (172) massacres, in (2016 to 2017), ninety massacres, in (2018), (59) massacres, in 2019, fourteen massacres.
“Russia’s achievements in Syria”
In exchange for supporting the Assad regime and keeping it in power, Russia has gained many military and economic achievements from Russia. Only four months after the Russian intervention, in August 2015, Moscow signed an agreement with the Assad regime to establish a “Hamaimim air base” in Latakia province on the Syrian coast, to conduct military operations from there. The agreement allows the Russians to stay at the air base for 40 years, in addition to staying on land, and have 11 warships, including nuclear-powered ships, with the option to extend the agreement for another 25 years.
In December 2017, Moscow strengthened its military positions in Syria. After his country’s approval, he agreed with Syria to expand Russian military facilities in the port of Tartus in northwestern Syria, which will become a permanent base for the Russian navy. Economically, the Financial Times published a report in September (2019) revealing the achievements of the Russians and their allies during their staying in Syria, so that many of the economic achievements by the Assad regime for Gennady Timchenko, a friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
