Russia Brings The Big Guns To Syria

Paul Richard Huard and Robert Beckhusen, The Week/War Is Boring: Russia is bringing its big guns to Syria. Literally.

The Russian army is literally bringing its big guns to the war in Syria. U.S. military analysts said the decision to add artillery to the battlefield indicates a number of key developments, including the Kremlin's growing influence in planning and executing Syrian military operations.

It could be a sign that Russia is dedicated to a conventional ground war — not just air strikes — in support of Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad, a staunch ally long supported by Moscow.

Since at least October, Russia fielded heavy artillery units near the cities of Homs and Hama, pounding targets there, according to a top U.S. State Department official. However, most of Russia's firepower was at Latakia air base in western Syria until recently.

The Russian decision to move artillery to the front lines is a newer development. Officially, Moscow denies that it has ground forces engaged in military operations in Syria.

WNU Editor: I have been commenting on this development for the past few weeks .... and it confirmed to me what the main stream media is only now starting to notice .... that Russia is preparing itself for a long term involvement in Syria .... Russia Digging In for Long Haul in Syria (Defense News).