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Autor: N. Mozes*
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Wprowadzenie<\/B>
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Na przestrzeni ostatnich trzech tygodni, pojawi\u0142y si\u0119 liczne doniesienia w nie-arabskich mediach stwierdzaj\u0105ce, \u017ce Rosja, kt\u00f3ra poza Iranem jest g\u0142\u00f3wnym sojusznikiem Syrii, podj\u0119\u0142a decyzje o zwi\u0119kszeniu swojego militarnego zaanga\u017cowania w tym kraju i uczestniczy w walkach obok si\u0142 rz\u0105dowych syryjskiego re\u017cimu Baszara Assada. W niekt\u00f3rych doniesieniach twierdzi si\u0119 r\u00f3wnie\u017c, \u017ce te plany s\u0105 ju\u017c wprowadzone w \u017cycie. Media arabskie, zar\u00f3wno sprzyjaj\u0105ce, jak i przeciwne Assadowi, r\u00f3wnie\u017c donosi\u0142y o rosyjskim militarnym zaanga\u017cowaniu w Syrii. Doniesienia koncentruj\u0105 si\u0119 na kilku g\u0142\u00f3wnych kwestiach: budowa nowej rosyjskiej bazy wojskowej ko\u0142o miejscowo\u015bci D\u017cabla, na syryjskim wybrze\u017cu, wzmocnienie jednostek rosyjskich, w tym pilot\u00f3w samolot\u00f3w bojowych, udzia\u0142 rosyjskich pilot\u00f3w w nalotach na opozycj\u0119 i na pozycje Pa\u0144stwa Islamskiego (ISIS) w Syrii, dostawa nowoczesnej broni, w tym samolot\u00f3w bojowych.
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Jeszcze w marcu 2015, Assad zwr\u00f3ci\u0142 si\u0119 do Rosji z pro\u015bb\u0105 o zwi\u0119kszenie jej obecno\u015bci militarnej w Syrii. Powiedzia\u0142 w\u00f3wczas rosyjskim mediom: \u201cRosyjska obecno\u015b\u0107 w r\u00f3\u017cnych miejscach na \u015bwiecie, w tym na Bliskim Wschodzie, i w porcie Tartus, jest czynnikiem tworz\u0105cym r\u00f3wnowag\u0119, kt\u00f3r\u0105 \u015bwiat utraci\u0142 po upadku Zwi\u0105zku Radzieckiego. Je\u015bli o nas chodzi, im bardziej ta obecno\u015b\u0107 wzrasta, tym lepiej dla stabilno\u015bci w regionie, poniewa\u017c Rosja odgrywa kluczow\u0105 rol\u0119 w globalnej stabilno\u015bci. Witamy wszelkie zwi\u0119kszenie rosyjskiej obecno\u015bci na Bliskim Wschodzie, a w szczeg\u00f3lno\u015bci na syryjskim wybrze\u017cu i w portach, ale oczywi\u015bcie jest to uzale\u017cnione od plan\u00f3w rosyjskiego kierownictwa politycznego i wojskowego na temat tego, gdzie rozmie\u015bci swoje si\u0142y w r\u00f3\u017cnych miejscach…”<\/A> [1]<\/A> Powi\u0105zania militarne mi\u0119dzy Rosj\u0105 i Syri\u0105 nie s\u0105 niczym nowym; zacz\u0119\u0142y si\u0119 w czasach Zwi\u0105zku Radzieckiego i by\u0142y kontynuowane po jego upadku. Podczas obecnej wojny w Syrii, kt\u00f3ra szaleje od 2011 roku, obie strony potwierdza\u0142y ich militarne powi\u0105zania i fakt, \u017ce Rosja zbroi si\u0142y rz\u0105dowe w oparciu o porozumienia podpisane przed wybuchem wojny. Najbardziej znacz\u0105cym przyk\u0142adem rosyjskiej obecno\u015bci w Syrii jest baza wojskowa w mie\u015bcie portowym Tartus, kt\u00f3ra obs\u0142uguje rosyjskie okr\u0119ty p\u0142ywaj\u0105ce na Morzu \u015ar\u00f3dziemnym. Mniej widocznym przyk\u0142adem jest obecno\u015b\u0107 wojskowych ekspert\u00f3w w r\u00f3\u017cnych bazach wojskowych na terenie Syrii. Dowody zosta\u0142y ujawnione w bazie Kunajtira w Tel Al-Hara na po\u0142udniu Syrii, kt\u00f3ra wpad\u0142a w r\u0119ce opozycji w pa\u017adzierniku 2014 roku. Znalezione tam dokumenty wskazywa\u0142y na to, \u017ce by\u0142 to wsp\u00f3lny, rosyjsko-syryjski, o\u015brodek wywiadowczy.<\/A> [2]<\/A> By\u0142y r\u00f3wnie\u017c doniesienia o Rosjanach walcz\u0105cych w tej wojnie u boku armii Assada,<\/A> [3]<\/A> jednak w\u0142adze rosyjskie twierdz\u0105, \u017ce byli to najemnicy rekrutowani przez rosyjsk\u0105 firm\u0119, kt\u00f3rej uprawnienia zosta\u0142y p\u00f3\u017aniej cofni\u0119te. W odpowiedzi na najnowsze doniesienia, o tym, \u017ce Rosja zwi\u0119kszy\u0142a swoje militarne zaanga\u017cowanie w Syrii, rosyjski prezydent, W\u0142adimir Putin, o\u015bwiadczy\u0142, \u017ce jego kraj dostarcza rz\u0105dowi w Syrii \u201cszeroko zakrojonego poparcia w zakresie wyposa\u017cenia, \u0107wicze\u0144 wojskowych i broni. Rozwa\u017camy wiele opcji, ale ta kwestia [zwi\u0119kszenia militarnego zaanga\u017cowania] nie by\u0142a jeszcze na stole.”<\/A> [4]<\/A> Rosyjskie Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych zareagowa\u0142o podobnie: Wiele dni po tym jak ameryka\u0144ski Sekretarz Stanu, John Kerry, powiedzia\u0142 w rozmowie telefonicznej swojemu odpowiednikowi, Sergiejowi \u0141awrowowi, \u017ce jest zaniepokojony doniesieniami, i\u017c Rosja zwi\u0119kszy\u0142a swoj\u0105 obecno\u015b\u0107 militarn\u0105 w Syrii, rzeczniczka rosyjskiego Ministerstwa Spraw Zagranicznych powiedzia\u0142a, \u017ce \u0141awrow odpowiedzia\u0142 Kerremu: \u201eRosja nigdy nie ukrywa\u0142a faktu, \u017ce przekazuje syryjskiemu rz\u0105dowi wojskowe wyposa\u017cenie, tak by m\u00f3g\u0142 on zwalcza\u0107 terroryzm\u201d oraz \u017ce \u201eRosja b\u0119dzie w dalszym ci\u0105gu dostarcza\u0142a pomocy dla rz\u0105du syryjskiego\u201d.<\/A> [5]<\/A> Reakcje re\u017cimu syryjskiego na doniesienia o intensyfikacji rosyjskiego zaanga\u017cowania wojskowego w Syrii nie by\u0142y jednorodne. W wywiadzie dla stacji telewizyjnej Hezbollahu, Al-Manar TV, syryjski Minister Informacji, Omran Al-Zou’bi zaprzeczy\u0142 tym doniesieniom i twierdzi\u0142, \u017ce nie ma rosyjskich wojsk l\u0105dowych, ani morskich, ani aktywno\u015bci lotnictwa rosyjskiego na terytorium Syrii.<\/A> [6]<\/A> Dla odmiany, zast\u0119pca Ministra Spraw Zagranicznych, Faysal Al-Maqdad, potwierdzi\u0142 rosyjsk\u0105 obecno\u015b\u0107 militarn\u0105, ale stwierdzi\u0142, \u017ce ogranicza si\u0119 to tylko do wojskowych doradc\u00f3w.<\/A> [7]<\/A> Z drugiej strony wydaje si\u0119, \u017ce syryjskie i liba\u0144skie media zbli\u017cone do syryjskiego rz\u0105du szybko informowa\u0142y i potwierdza\u0142y te doniesienia, dodaj\u0105c nowe szczeg\u00f3\u0142y. Tak na przyk\u0142ad artyku\u0142 w liba\u0144skim dzienniku Al-Akhbar<\/I>, kt\u00f3ry jest blisko syryjskiego rz\u0105du, stwierdza\u0142, \u017ce \u201cArmia Czerwona walczy w Syrii\u201d i \u017ce tysi\u0105ce \u017co\u0142nierzy elitarnych rosyjskich jednostek jest rozmieszczonych w kraju. Wydaje si\u0119, \u017ce powodem publikowania tych doniesie\u0144 jest ch\u0119\u0107 przes\u0142ania przez rz\u0105d Assada, tak do zwolennik\u00f3w, jak i przeciwnik\u00f3w, informacji, \u017ce nadal ma poparcie Rosji. \u0141\u0105czy si\u0119 to z licznymi niedawnymi doniesieniami, \u017ce Rosja nawi\u0105zuje bliskie stosunki z Arabi\u0105 Saudyjsk\u0105, kt\u00f3ra stoi na czele opozycji wobec re\u017cimu syryjskiego oraz, \u017ce rosyjskie stanowisko wobec rz\u0105du syryjskiego i samego Assada zmieni\u0142o si\u0119. Nale\u017cy tu wspomnie\u0107, \u017ce ten trend pozytywnych doniesie\u0144 w pro-rz\u0105dowych mediach na temat wzmocnienia rosyjskiej obecno\u015bci jest sprzeczny z lini\u0105, kt\u00f3r\u0105 re\u017cim i zwi\u0105zane z nim media utrzymywa\u0142 dotychczas – by\u0142a to regu\u0142a zaprzeczania [tej obecno\u015bci] oraz pomniejszania udzia\u0142u Iranu i Hezbollahu w walkach w Syrii. Natomiast media syryjskiej opozycji i przeciwne Assadowi media arabskie, w odr\u00f3\u017cnieniu od medi\u00f3w pro-rz\u0105dowych, by\u0142y bardzo lakoniczne w doniesieniach o rosyjskiej obecno\u015bci, za to szeroko donosi\u0142y o ira\u0144skim zaanga\u017cowaniu i o obecno\u015bci Hezbollahu. Mog\u0142o to by\u0107 wynikiem ch\u0119ci unikania dra\u017cnienia Rosji przez syryjsk\u0105 opozycj\u0119 i jej sojusznik\u00f3w, kt\u00f3r\u0105 [r\u00f3wnie\u017c oni] uwa\u017caj\u0105 za kluczowy czynnik w rozwi\u0105zaniu syryjskiego kryzysu, w szczeg\u00f3lno\u015bci w \u015bwietle doniesie\u0144 o bardziej elastycznym stanowisku Rosji wobec obecnego syryjskiego re\u017cimu i w \u015bwietle waha\u0144 obecnej ameryka\u0144skiej administracji. Pierwsza oficjalna reakcja syryjskiej opozycji na rosyjsk\u0105 interwencj\u0119 w Syrii pojawi\u0142a si\u0119 dopiero 10 wrze\u015bnia 2015, oko\u0142o trzy tygodnie po pojawieniu si\u0119 doniesie\u0144 o wzro\u015bcie rosyjskiego militarnego zaanga\u017cowania w Syrii. Rzecznik szefa sztabu Wolnej Syryjskiej Armii (FSA), Mustafa Farhat, ostrzeg\u0142, \u017ce rosyjska interwencja w Syrii jest \u201cniebezpieczna\u201d i zagrozi\u0142, \u017ce Wolna Armia Syryjska i syryjscy powsta\u0144cy zmieni\u0105 Syri\u0119 w rosyjski cmentarz. Farhat wezwa\u0142 r\u00f3wnie\u017c Turcj\u0119 i kraje Zatoki oraz spo\u0142eczno\u015b\u0107 mi\u0119dzynarodow\u0105 aby powstrzyma\u0142a Rosj\u0119.<\/A> [8]<\/A> \u0179r\u00f3d\u0142a opozycyjne powiedzia\u0142y publikowanemu w Londynie saudyjskiemu dziennikowi, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, <\/I>\u017ce celem Rosji jest ustanowienie lojalnego kantonu (minipa\u0144stwa) na syryjskim wybrze\u017cu, kt\u00f3re rozci\u0105ga\u0142oby si\u0119 od portu Tartus do Latakii, obejmuj\u0105c miasta Banijas i D\u017cabla, podobnie jak region Donbasu na Ukrainie [kontrolowany przez pro-rosyjskich separatyst\u00f3w].”<\/A> [9]<\/A> Niniejsza praca jest przegl\u0105dem wysi\u0142k\u00f3w medi\u00f3w re\u017cimu syryjskiego, by rozegra\u0107 i potwierdzi\u0107 twierdzenia o zwi\u0119kszonym zaanga\u017cowaniu armii rosyjskiej w Syrii. Dalszy tekst nie jest t\u0142umaczony na polski. Regime-Affiliated Daily Publishes Article By Thierry Meyssan: „The Russian Army Is Involved In Syria” <\/B> On August 26, 2015, the Syrian daily Al-Watan, <\/I>which is close to the regime and which often publishes articles byFrench journalist and activist Thierry Meyssan, author of 9\/11: The Big Lie<\/I>, published a Meyssan article titled „The Russian Army Is Involved In Syria” exposing the establishment of a joint Russian-Syrian military committee and the military and intelligence aid that Russia is providing to the regime. It stated: „Although at the beginning of the conflict Russia refrained from taking part in the military operations, this did not prevent it from recently establishing a joint Russian-Syrian military committee. Within a few weeks, many advisors arrived in Damascus, and proposed the establishment of an additional Russian military base in Jableh. Recently, Damascus received six MiG-31 jets – considered the best in the world<\/A> [10]<\/A>… At the same time, Moscow began equipping Damascus, for the first time, with satellite photos. This decision, which took [Russia] five years to make, will completely change the situation on the ground…”<\/A> [11]<\/A> Article In Regime-Affiliated Lebanese Daily Al-Akhbar<\/I>: „The Red Army Is Fighting In Syria” <\/B> Nahed Hattar, columnist for the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, <\/I>which is close to the Assad regime, confirmed, in a column titled „The Red Army Is Fighting In Syria,” reports that another Russian military base had been established in Jableh, and also reported that Russian forces were deployed in several areas across Syria, including Homs, Hama, Dar’a in the south, and 'Ain Al-Sawda, on the Turkey-Syria border. According to Hattar, these [measures] comprise a strategic action that will expand until a comprehensive Syrian-Russian strategic alliance is established, with the aim of changing the balance of power in the Middle East. He added that following the dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons „Syria was placed under the Russian nuclear umbrella,” and noted: „The Russian military battle presence in the Syrian war has become a fact, and it may expand and develop, and have more impact on the ground… in the last third of the month of August 2015, officers and fighters from the Red Army landed at the first Russian military combat base in Syria… which is located at Hamimim in Jableh next to Latakiya… [where] infrastructure of an airport was set up, and which includes a military camp for pilots and select units – which could by now number 1,000 troops, but which certainly will increase to 3,000. Naturally, the number of Russian troops deployed in a number of areas, including Homs, Hama, Latakiya, Dar’a, and 'Ain Al-Sawda,is not known. According to diplomatic reports, a Russian rapid intervention force is deployed at a base near Damascus.. „When discussing with Syrian officials the reports in the media and in the field that Russia is beginning to join the fighting in Syria, [their] first answer is 'defense contacts between the countries are long-term, permanent, and developing, and what is happening now is within the framework of cooperation and surprises none but those whose imagination causes them to think that Moscow will not go all the way with us.’ That is, [these officials are saying that] the reports on the increase in Russian military activity in Syria are 'correct’ but 'in general, not in terms of the specifics’…” Hattar added that the Syrian army’s air power has recently increased, and that Russia is providing Syria with satellite photos of the battlefronts. He wrote that „the Red Army has begun to fight alongside the Syrian people in the defensive war against terrorism” and stressed that this is not a development of the past weeks, but a move that began this spring, when Assad told the Russian media that he supports establishing a new Russian military base on Syria’s coast. According to Hattar, this does not come in response to fears of the development of an ISIS pocket in Damascus, but is a carefully examined strategic move. He added: „This move will expand until the establishment of a comprehensive Russia-Syria strategic alliance aimed at changing the balance of power in the Middle East from the roots…” Also according to Hattar, the turning point in the Russia-Syria military relationship was the understanding that Syria’s chemical weapons had to be dismantled in order to prevent an American attack: „At that moment, Syria was placed under the Russian nuclear umbrella…” He added that Moscow had coordinated the current military expansion in Syria with Iran.<\/A> [12]<\/A> Syrian Army Facebook Page: Russian Pilots Participated In Bombing Rebel-Held Idlib<\/B> The Syrian Army Facebook page reposted an item originally posted on the pro-Assad „Heroic Deeds Of The Syrian Army – Syria-victory” Facebook page that included photos (below) of „Russian Pchela-1T drones and SU-27 and SU-34 jets that carried out attacks above Idlib.” The post notes that the photos „confirm the reports that the Russians are at a Syrian Air Force base and are carrying out attacks on positions of ISIS and other Islamic organizations (since Syria has no SU-34 planes, only Pchela-1T drones).”<\/A> [13]<\/A> The Lebanese Al-Akhbar <\/I>daily also published, and confirmed, this report: „We have been informed by reliable sources in the field that the reports on these [Facebook] pages are 100% correct. That is, the reports in the Israeli newspapers in the past two days, about 'new developments in the Syrian arena,’ have become reality on the ground, that is, [there is now] direct Iranian and Russian fighting alongside Syria, and Russian pilots are participating in battle missions along with the army. This is being done as part of a trend to strengthen the Syrian army’s capabilities with the latest drones, which was agreed among Moscow, Tehran, and Damascus in recent weeks.”<\/A> [14]<\/A> Lebanese Dailies Close To The Assad Regime: Russia Has Begun Supplying Advanced Weaponry To Syria<\/B> On September 9, 2015, following reports that the U.S. had asked Bulgaria and Greece to block the passage of Russian planes to Syria via their airspace due to suspicions that they were transporting military assistance to the Syrian regime, the daily Al-Akhbar <\/I>wrote: „It appears that the implementation of the Russia-Iran agreement to upgrade the Syrian army’s armament level has begun. Therefore, the U.S. has recruited its connections in order to damage the air bridge that was established by Moscow in early September, and that is meant to continue until September 24, 2015. The rapid American response proves that there is information on the advanced standard of the arms and munitions being carried by the Russian planes to Syria via the skies of Bulgaria and Greece.”<\/A> [15]<\/A> The Lebanese daily Al-Safir<\/I>, which is also close to the Syrian regime, cited a Syrian source claiming that „up to now there is no substantial difference with regards to Russian forces operating on Syrian territory. We are still dealing exclusively with experts, advisors and trainers.” The source noted that although the pace of implementing the arms agreements by the parties still does not meet Syrian demands, several weeks ago a group of Russian experts began examining airfields in Syria and expanding the runways at some of them, mostly in northern Syria. This occurred after Syria asked to be armed with MI-28 combat helicopters to improve its nighttime military activity. According to the source, Russia armed the regime with advanced weaponry such as BTR-82 armored personnel carriers, BM-30 Smerch rocket launchers and additional Orlan UAVs.<\/A> [16]<\/A> ’Al-Safir’: Russian Intervention Is Part Of Military Collaboration With Iran, Pre-Coordinated With It Months Ago<\/B> Al-Safir <\/I>also reported that Russian military involvement in Syria is effectively taking place as part of military collaboration with Iran in north Syria, and that it was pre-coordinated between the two countries months ago. The daily stated that „this collaboration is manifested by a joint operations room” and by the two’s sharing of the Hamimim airfield near Latakiya. It daily added that the Russians had begun operating an independent Russian air operations base at the site, and that they are working there near the air supply lines of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The collaboration between Russia and Iran, it said, that had hitherto been limited to coordinating the air supply that is currently being conducted via Iranian airspace, should expand in the coming weeks, with the end of the Russian air bridge on September 24, 2015. The paper went on to state that the military collaboration between Iran and Russia in Syria, and the preparations for Russian military involvement there, had begun in July, particularly after the July 14 announcement of the JCPOA that lifted the international boycott of Iran. It said that IRGC Qods Force commander Qassem Suleimani had visited Moscow in early August at Russia’s invitation, and had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin; this meeting, it noted, had been part of the preparations for expanding Russian military involvement in Syria. <\/A> [17]<\/A> On Their Facebook Pages, Regime Supporters Post Photos Of Russian Fighters<\/B> Additionally, several supporters of the Syrian regime posted photos on their Facebook pages of Russian soldiers in Syria, apparently taken from other sources. Although some of the soldiers are stationed in Tartus and the location of others is unclear, the regime supporters’ posting of these photos on their Facebook pages shows this sector’s support of this sector for the Russian military presence. On the pro-regime Facebook page „Bidna Nitsarah” („We want to be discharged”), belonging to regime army soldiers from the 102 draft class, one user posted several photos of Russian soldiers in Syria (see below) and noted: „Photos of Russian soldiers fighting alongside the heroes of the Arab Syrian army. Of course these pictures were photographed in Damascus, Homs, Latakiya, and Tartus, and they were taken from the Facebook pages of the soldiers. This is just the beginning.”<\/A> [18]<\/A> *N. Mozes is a research fellow at MEMRI.<\/I> Endnotes: <\/A> [1]<\/A> Al-Hayat <\/I>(London), March 28, 2015. Visit the MEMRI site in Polish: <\/B>http:\/\/www2.memri.org\/polish\/<\/B><\/A>
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\n![](\"http:\/\/www2.memri.org\/polaco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/24828.jpg\")
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\n<\/A> [2]<\/A> See MEMRI Inquiry & Analysis No. 1138, Following Killing Of Hizbullah Operative Jihad Mughniyah, New Information Comes To Light Regarding Hizbullah, Iranian Activity In Syrian Golan On Israeli Border<\/A>, January 28, 2015.
\n<\/A> [3]<\/A> See MEMRI JTTM, Pro-Assad Russian Fighters Reportedly Killed In Syria<\/A>, October 23, 2013.
\n<\/A> [4]<\/A> RT.com, September 4, 2015.
\n<\/A> [5]<\/A> Al-Hayat<\/I> (London), September 8, 2015.
\n<\/A> [6]<\/A> Champress.net, September 8, 2015.
\n<\/A> [7]<\/A> Syria-news.com, September 10, 2015.
\n<\/A> [8]<\/A> Alarabiya.net, September 10, 2015.
\n<\/A> [9]<\/A> Al-Sharq Al-Awsat<\/I> (London), September 11, 2015.
\n<\/A> [10]<\/A> Russia denied the report that it had furnished MIG-31 planes to Syria Sputniknews.com, August 22, 2015.
\n<\/A> [11]<\/A> Al-Watan <\/I>(Syrian), August 26, 2015.
\n<\/A> [12]<\/A> Al-Akhbar <\/I>(Lebanon), September 7, 2015.
\n<\/A> [13]<\/A> Facebook.com\/syrianarmy18<\/A>,,September 3,.2015
\n<\/A> [14]<\/A> Al-Akhbar <\/I>(Lebanon), September 4, 2015.
\n<\/A> [15]<\/A> Al-Akhbar <\/I>(Lebanon), September 9, 2015.
\n<\/A> [16]<\/A> Al-Safir <\/I>(Lebanon), September 7, 2015.
\n<\/A> [17]<\/A> Al-Safir <\/I>(Lebanon), September 11, 2015.
\n<\/A> [18]<\/A> Facebook.com<\/A>, September 5, 2015.
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