VOA: Next Phase of Iran-led Ground Offensive in Syria 'Coming'
WASHINGTON - Russia appears to have at least doubled the number of military personnel on the ground in Syria ahead of an expected pro-regime offensive to retake the city of Aleppo.
“It is coming,” said a U.S. official of an Aleppo offensive. What is unclear is whether Russian ground forces will take part.
The latest U.S. estimates put the total number of Russian troops at about 3,000, according to an official who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity.
A second U.S. official said the number of Russian military personnel could be even higher.
WNU Editor: I have been reading reports on Russian social media that Moscow is planning a deployment of up to 10,000 soldiers to Syria. No official word yet on where (and when) will Russia stop increasing its presence in Syria, but I suspect that in the coming weeks we will have a clearer picture on what that Russian presence in Syria will be.
2 comments:
10,000?
Heve you noticed, anywhere, any logistical preparations for this kind of force projection? They'd have a tough time hiding it. They'd also have to consider alternate logistical arrangements. The Bosphorus is too dicey to (someone else has mentioned this too) rely on here. The throat is surrounded by hostiles.
What about Astrakhan to Ameribad then on to Iraq? This would be a huge undertaking. Some big doubts here. Then again, the Russians have been practicing moving large forces around quite a bit of late. They are also full of surprises these days.
Have anyone noticed a lot of "we'll see" these days when referring to Russian moves? They certainly have the initiative. I don't expect they'll mark time.
I am sure the Russians will find a way. After all .... the U.S. was able to put a 100,000+ troops in landlocked Afghanistan, 10,000 for the Russians .... with allies Iran/Iraq in place (and they are not like Pakistan) .... it is very feasible.
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