Sources in Lebanon were reporting Wednesday that Russian troops have engaged in combat operations in support of the Assad regime in neighboring Syria, although so far the number of ground troops is reported to be small. Russian aircraft were reported to be flying in reinforcements and supplies via Iranian air space after eastern European countries denied Russia landing rights. In related developments, regime forces have been forced to evacuate a major military base which was the last regime outpost in Idlib province northeast of Damascus, marking another major setback for the regime. Kremlin statements indicate a desire to sell the Assad regime as an indispensable part of the war against the Islamic State (IS) terror militia, but Western and Arab governments have retorted that Assad is part of the problem in Syria, not part of the solution. Read More
