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Russia support for Syria prevents spread of terror: Analyst

Friday, 14 October 2016 10:20 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 14 October 2016 10:22 AM ]

This video grab image taken on August 16, 2016, from a footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry’s official website, shows a Russian bomber Tupolev Tu-22M3 conducting airstrike in Syria. (Via AFP)

Russia’s anti-terror military campaign has not only played an “essential” role in stopping the advances of Takfiri groups inside Syria, but prevented such terror threats from spreading to other parts of the Middle East, says a former US Senate foreign policy analyst.

“If the Russians had not intervened, there’s a very good chance the black flag of al-Qaeda or Daesh would be flying over Damascus today,” a scenario which would be in the interest of no party, James Jatras told Press TV’s Top 5 program.

The analyst further said the Syrian government needed its allies to counter the Takfiri terrorist groups, which have the backing of the West and its Persian Gulf allies.

He said there is an “entire constellation of countries,” including the US and European states along with their Middle Eastern partners, funneling weapons and money to the terrorists operating to overthrow the government in Damascus.

“It’s very hard to see how it [Syria] could withstand that kind of an assault without outside support,” said the commentator, adding, that Moscow “has been legally invited in by the Syrian government.”

In an interview with Russian-language tabloid newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda released on Friday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised Russian military operations in Syria, stressing that Takfiri terrorists have lost ground as a result of Russia’s military intervention in his country.

Jatras also said it would be a catastrophe for all regional states if the Takfiri groups could gain momentum and consolidate their foothold in Syria, stressing that such a scenario would send the entire Mideast into flames.

According to the commentator, the Daesh and al-Qaeda affiliates have been “metastasizing” to some other countries like Libya, where they have launched a campaign of death and destruction.

The conflict in Syria, which flared up in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people, according to an estimate by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

Backed by Russian airpower, the Syrian army has been making gains against militant groups on several fronts across the country.

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