Russia Now Has 4,000 Troops and Long-Range Rockets in Syria

The Kremlin confirmed this week that it’s military forces in Syria have begun to coordinate with forces battling the Assad regime in order to target the Islamic State (IS) terror militia, amidst other signs that cooperation between Russia, the US and Saudi Arabia on efforts against IS in Syria are increasing. In related news, US security officials said on Wednesday that Russia now has over 4,000 military personnel in Syria and has also deployed heavy artillery and long-range rockets. But its efforts, combined with a large ground offensive by Assad regime forces supported by Iranian and Hezbollah commandos, which has resulted in heavy casualties on all sides, have not resulted in significant territorial gains. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of growing anger among Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon over the high number of causalities and even a mutiny among Iranian forces who have begun to refuse orders to fight in Syria. Read More