Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the audience during an annual meeting at the Defence Ministry in Moscow, Russia, December 11, 2015. REUTERS/ Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Friday that he has provided weapons, air cover and supplies to a key Western-backed Syrian opposition group.
Putin also made a veiled swipe at Turkey and again called for the United States to cooperate with him to fight terrorists.
In his speech, Putin asserted that he is working with the opposition group, known as the Free Syrian Army, as well as forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The idea of supporting opposing sides in a civil war is an incongruous one, but Putin cast it in terms of both groups opposing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other "terrorists."
Update #1: Putin says Russia backs Free Syrian Army alongside Assad troops -- Reuters
Update #2: Putin: Russia has sent weapons to Syrian opposition group -- AP
Update #3: Over 5,000 Syrian Free Army, Government Troops Fighting Terrorists - Putin -- Sputnik
WNU Editor: Are some of Syria`s rebels about to join Russia and the Syrian government? If Putin is to be believed .... and I am sceptical .... it looks like some have already joined the Syrian government.
Update #4: As I had thought .... my scepticism was justified .... Russia supplies weapons only to Syrian government army, not to Free Syrian Army — Kremlin (TASS).
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