Russia Expands Military Presence in Syria, Satellite Photos Show

Former Putin Associate Files Arbitration Claim Against Russia

Familiar Faces Dominate New Greek Cabinet

THE A-HED

At This Beauty Pageant, the Claws Come Out

1218
632

Russia Expands Military Presence in Syria, Satellite Photos Show

Apparent development near Latakia is latest sign Moscow is preparing to intervene in Syrian war

DION NISSENBAUM and

CAROL E. LEE

Updated Sept. 22, 2015 7:08 p.m. ET

293 COMMENTS

WASHINGTON—Russian forces appear to be expanding their military presence in Syria through the development of two additional bases that pose new challenges for the Obama administration as it struggles to avert a clash with Moscow in the Middle East.

Private satellite images released Tuesday revealed new construction at two Syrian military facilities near the Mediterranean coast, the latest sign Russia is preparing to inject its military forces into the country’s 4½-year war.

While U.S. military officials assessed the importance of the projects and overall buildup, the Obama administration is seeking to transform the potential showdown into a fresh diplomatic initiative to push Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—Russia’s longtime ally—from power, senior administration officials said.

Specifically, officials are exploring whether the U.S. could work with Moscow to ease Mr. Assad from power and pave the way for a successor from his Alawite sect, preventing a collapse of the government and a likely takeover by Islamic extremists, a senior administration official said Tuesday.

President Barack Obama plans to push the idea during a series of meetings next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. “We have to learn more about Russia’s intentions before we know how viable it is,” said one senior administration official.

Russian forces appear to be expanding their military presence in Syria through the development of two additional bases, according to new satellite imagery viewed by the Journal. Why could this be significant? WSJ’s Jason Bellini has #TheShortAnswer.

If Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to flex Russia’s military to protect Mr. Assad, relations with Moscow might deteriorate, as they did when Russia seized Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula last year.

But if Russia is instead trying to maintain its existing influence, even if Mr. Assad is ousted, the White House sees a potential diplomatic opening.

As part of the resolution, Russia and Iran would get to protect their interests in Syria, and Moscow would contribute to the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State militants, the official said.

The Obama administration’s maneuvering is being driven largely by Russia’s moves to build up its military position, which until recently was largely focused on an air base south of the Syrian port city of Latakia.

ENLARGE

Moscow has dispatched more than two dozen combat aircraft to the airfield, where Russian surveillance drones have started flying, according to U.S. defense officials. Russia has also sent tanks, air-defense systems, armored-personnel carriers and enough housing for 2,000 people, officials have said.

Now, satellite images provided by IHS Jane’s, a defense-intelligence provider, show what appears to be an additional, previously undisclosed, Russian military expansion.

The images from mid-September show development of a weapons depot and military facility north of Latakia, suggesting that Russia is preparing to place troops in both places, according to Robert Munks, editor of IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review.

While Russia’s recent activity in Syria has raised concern within the administration, U.S. officials are trying not to inflame tensions as they try to determine the scope for diplomacy.

Mr. Putin is also attending the U.N. General Assembly and the

ENLARGE

Civilians clambered on a site hit by what activists said was an explosive dropped by Assad regime forces in Saraqib on Tuesday. PHOTO: KHALIL ASHAWI/REUTERS

White House is still weighing whether Mr. Obama meets with him.

The Syrian war has left 250,000 people dead, created a security vacuum filled by Islamic State militants, and sparked a refugee crisis creating strains across the Middle East and Europe, with more than four million people displaced.

Pentagon officials said they weren’t certain if development of the two bases seen in the satellite images was related to Russia’s military presence at the airfield.

“There is clearly capability beyond just force protection that is on the ground there,” said one senior military official. “But the questions remain: What are they going do with it? Where are they going to do it? Who are they going to do it with? And who are they going to do it against?”

U.S. officials are trying to avoid a complete collapse of the regime infrastructure, which they say would be too destabilizing and create an environment where extremist groups would fill the void as happened after the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Mr. Obama believes “a Russian decision to double down on Assad’s leadership is a losing bet.” Mr. Earnest said Russia’s intentions within Syria remain unclear.

“But we continue to be interested in Russia sending a signal about their willingness to constructively support the international coalition to degrade and ultimately destroy” Islamic State, he said.

Write to Dion Nissenbaum at dion.nissenbaum@wsj.com and Carol E. Lee atcarol.lee@wsj.com

There are 293 comments.

Newest Oldest Reader Recommended

Loyde Yates2 hours ago

Allowing Russia and Iran to "protect their interests" and handpick another tyrant from the Shia Alawite sect, will do nothing to solve the problem. The vast majority Sunni population will want to select their own leader. The best we could do, is insist that the selection be conducted using democratic processes. Besides, if we had taken Assad out when he crossed Obama's "red line," this massive exodus of citizens would have never happened; much less the current inflow of Russian troops and radical Islamic troops sponsored by Iran. And, Sunni ISIS has simply filled the vacuum our lack of leadership created in both Syria and Iraq. Each day, left unchecked, the situation will only get worse for US.

matt cusumano3 hours ago

The U.S., EU, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states are responsible for the chaos in Syria. The U.S. really should take most the blame, for promoting the so called "Arab Spring", which wasn't Arab at all, and should've been called "The Radical Islamic Uprising", because wherever the administration praised the "Arab Spring", you only saw radical Islamic jihadi's toppling secular, secure governments. Look at Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and Syria.

Proof? A huge proportion of the so called "Opposition" is not even Arab..they come from Afganistan, Georgio, the caucuses, and even Asia. So there never was anything Arab, or Spring about it.

When you name a movement, the name should describe the unifying factor of the participants In this case, all the "rebels" were Wahabi, or Takfiri Jihadis looking to install Sharia Law.

Syria was a pluralistic nation, so was Libya. Both were secure until the U.S. inserted so many NGO's to stir up radical Islam.

Just like Afghanistan in the 70's

Joseph Breton3 hours ago

I read the following in the article:

"While U.S. military officials assessed the importance of the projects and overall buildup, the Obama administration is seeking to transform the potential showdown into a fresh diplomatic initiative..."

Obama to Russians: "I know what you're doing! I HAVE PHOTOS! Please stop! Don't make me beg!"

Every extra minute we keep our thumbs up our butts, the day of reckoning will be worse. I've come to believe Obama just wants to delay addressing the tough problems until the next president comes. He has no courage, and has appointed his military leaders as he picked his cabinet...those who, if they already don't hold same beliefs as him, will knuckle under and adopt them.

Putin will keep upping the ante; Obama's concessions will grow. Iran is there too, their pockets stuffed full of American cash, to help build the bases.

Putin will always defeat Obama at the table...and make him fold his cards. Even if there's no shooting, this will turn out poorly.

SHOW MORE COMMENTS