Russia’s Airstrikes in Syria
Russia began air raids in Syria this week, the Kremlin said.
Over the past five years, the situation in Syria has been worsening every day. ISIS, al-Nusra and other terrorist groups have been fighting against each other as well as the Syrian Army and the Free Syrian Army. There are many different players in the game that have destroyed Syria and Russia is the latest addition.
The number of entities involved makes things complicated. Russia openly backs Bashar al-Assad’s regime, while the U.S.-led coalition aims to topple the dictator. Both Russia and the United States want to destroy ISIS and the other terrorist groups recognized by the United Nations, but sources confirmed that Moscow is also bombing the CIA-trained Free Syrian Army that fights ISIS and Assad at the same time. This highlights the absence of a joint effort between the United States and Russia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the United Nations in New York this Thursday. Lavrov said that removing al-Assad, who is Russia’s ally, would not prove to be an effective strategy in the fight against ISIS. He also rhetorically questioned whether Iraq and Libya are now better off after the U.S. toppling of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-backed Free Syrian Army, which is fighting Assad’s regime, said that they have been targeted by Russian fighters jets. There is no coordination between Russia and the U.S. coalition, which is deteriorating the situation in Syria furthermore. It could escalate into a proxy war reminiscent of the Cold War, as Russia and the U.S. are openly backing two different factions.
Almost five years of civil war turned Syria into smoldering ruins. The apocalyptic scenario forced millions to leave their homes and flee to neighboring countries and Europe.
Tensions rise in the West Bank
An Israeli couple has been killed near the city of Nablus in the West Bank this Thursday.
Authorities said that there was an ambush on a road near the Israeli settlements of Elon Moreh and Itamar. A married couple was driving with their four children in the backseats when shots were fired at the car. The man and wife died on the spot and the children were not injured.
Tensions have been high in the West Bank as a result of clashes in Jerusalem between Palestinians and Israeli Police. The Israeli settlements in the area are considered illegal according to the Oslo Accords and international law.
The West Bank is under a military occupation and is crippled by a stagnant economy. The situation could escalate in another intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israel.
Taliban retreat from Kunduz
Afghan forces have taken the city of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday.
After last week’s Taliban attack in Pakistan, the terrorist group has taken a beating in northern Afghanistan. The defense ministry said that at least 150 terrorists were killed as the Taliban was pushed out of the city. The operation was supervised by international security forces that have been training the Afghan army.
The fight between the Taliban and government forces in the area is now reaching its 14th year after the U.S. intervention in 2001. The country is still in an unstable political situation as the northern regions are overrun with terrorists and insurgents.
Contact Staff News Writer Giorgio Ausenda at giorgio.ausenda@colorado.edu.
