Syria's Stance on Russia's Invasion:
- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad referred to the Russian invasion as a “correction of history and restoration of balance which was lost in the world after the breakup of the Soviet Union.”
- Al-Assad added that Russia is right to confront NATO expansionism.
Role of Syrian Mercenaries:
- According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), over 40,000 Syrians have registered to fight on behalf of Russia in Ukraine.
- As of March 14, no registered Syrian had left the country yet.
- Many Syrians decided to sign up as they were desperate for money. Close to 90% of the Syrian population lives in poverty.
- One former Syrian soldier who enlisted to fight in Ukraine explained, "The situation [in Syria] is extremely dire. There is no electricity, heating, or household gas.”
- Russia is rumored to have offered between $1,100 and $3,000 a month to foreign fighters. Soldiers will also be compensated $7,700 for any injuries, and their families will receive $16,500 if they are killed in combat. In Syria, soldiers earn between $15 and $35 a month.
- Russia began recruitment in Syria through the Wagner Group, a private military contractor, and various Russian-backed Syrian army forces like the Fifth Corps.
- The practicality of potential Syrian fighters is being questioned. Although Syrian fighters are familiar with urban warfare, the unfamiliar language and harsh weather conditions could render them inadequate.
Background:
- In 2015, Russia launched a military operation in Syria aimed at combating militant and terrorist parties, such as the Islamic State.
- The military intervention was approved by Assad’s regime. Approximately 63,000 Russian military forces were deployed to Syria.
- Putin was a strong supporter of the Assad regime and believed the only solution to civil war was “strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism.”
- The Syrian civil war is estimated to have killed nearly half a million people and displaced tens of millions.
- During a 2021 visit to Russia, al-Assad thanked Putin for providing humanitarian assistance and military counterterrorism support. Putin acknowledged that the main problem in Syria was the presence of foreign forces who undermined international law.
- Currently, Russia has two military bases in Syria: the Khmeimim Air Base in the south-east city of Latakia and a naval facility in the south-east city of Tartus. Apart from a military alliance, Syria awarded Russian companies oil exploration contracts. In addition, since March 2020, the Kremlin has supplied 100,000 tonnes of wheat to Syria as humanitarian aid.
March 2022
Syria's Response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine