Russia is, with Turkey, the sponsor of the ceasefire in Syria in 2020. The dazzling offensive that began on November 28 therefore confronts Moscow with responsibilities that it has created for itself and which are for it today. difficult to hold, with the government devoting all its resources to the war in Ukraine.
3 mins
From our correspondent in Moscow,
For a long time, Russian power boasted with drums and trumpets of being the protector of Bashar al-Assad and his diet. A few months after the ceasefire signed in March 2020, the Russia celebrated what she presented to her inner opinion as a total success. On September 30, 2020, five years to the day after Russian soldiers were sent to Syriafor example, here is what one of the news presenters on the first Russian state television channel said: “ Our soldiers and officers made a decisive contribution to the defeat of the terrorists. International terrorism has received a fatal blow. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stressed that the operation showed the ability of the armed forces to defend national interests, strengthened Russia’s authority and influence, and the army gained invaluable combat experience. »
The report that followed, against a backdrop of images of soldiers standing at attention receiving medals and planes in action, began like this: “ Our country has determinedly written a new chapter in world history, preventing an entire state from being wiped off the face of the Earth and today covering Syria with a powerful shield. A squadron of super-maneuverable Sukhoi-35 fighters is on constant combat duty. Threats coming from the ground are regularly spotted by our pilots in the air. »
At the end of 2024, we had to wait until Sunday evening, about a dozen hours after the fall of Aleppo, to be able to read a brief press release from the Russian army, a few lines to discuss the action and the results of the Russian aviation in the regions of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo.
The Kremlin, protector of Damascus, waited until Monday, December 2 to express its support via its spokesperson. Vladimir Putin made a single phone call to him on this matter official: early Monday afternoon, he made public a telephone interview with his Iranian counterpart Massoud Pezeshkian. The two leaders, according to Russian agencies, expressed “ unconditional support for the actions of the legitimate Syrian authorities aimed at restoring constitutional order “.
Russia uncomfortable?
The contrast is striking, notably with the end of summer 2021, when in Russia, we competed in sarcasm on the withdrawal considered catastrophic and synonymous with weakness of American forces from Afghanistanposing in contrast as a solid protector. Particularly self-confident at that time, Russia had moved upmarket outside its usual playing field of the post-Soviet space. With its military bases in Syria in particular, it intended to play a new role in the Mediterranean, to weaken the Europeans. She showed off her muscles and thought she was playing on velvet.
Today, some commentators place responsibility for events in Syria on the shoulders of Turkey or the West. The Telegram channel Rybar, reputed to be close to the Ministry of Defense, did not hesitate on Saturday, November 30, to designate Russian culprits, but without naming them, or, in a message posted on November 30, “ those who, after 2020, reduced Russia’s functions to ostentatious patrols and parades “.
The fact remains that for almost three years, it has been Ukraine and the confrontation on all possible grounds with the West which has been absorbing Russia’s resources.