Russian forces have begun participating in military operations in Syria in support of government forces, three Lebanese sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, the sources told Reuters the Russians had taken up arms in the fight against terrorism in Syria and are establishing two military bases, one near the coast and one further inland that would be an operations base.
“The Russians are no longer just advisers,” one of the sources said, Reuters reported. “The Russians have decided to join the war against terrorism.”
The Lebanese sources said the Russians are still playing a small role in combat.
“They have started in small numbers, but the bigger force did not yet take part. … There are numbers of Russians taking part in Syria, but they did not yet join the fight against terrorism strongly,” the source said, Reuters reported.
A Syrian official said Russian experts are “always present, but in the last year they have been present to a greater degree.”
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The account from the three sources is the most forthright yet of what U.S. officials say is a concerning Russian military buildup in support of the Assad-regime.
In addition, two U.S. officials said Russia has sent two tank landing ships and additional aircraft to Syria in the past day or so and has deployed a small number of naval infantry forces.
The U.S. officials, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intent of Russia’s military movies in Syria remains unclear but initial indications suggest the focus was on preparing an airfield near Latakia, an Assad stronghold, Reuters reported.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday expressed concern over the buildup during a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, saying the actions could “further escalate conflict” in the region.
The reported buildup comes as Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces have faced major setbacks on the battlefield in a 4-year-old, multi-sided civil war that has driven millions of refugees to seek safety in Europe and the U.S.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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