Russia’s Defense Minister Visits Syria, Meets Assad

[Purveyor]

Source: Washington Post

By Vladimir Isachenkov?|?AP June 18 at 4:39 PM
MOSCOW — Russia’s defense minister visited Syria on Saturday to meet the country’s leader and inspect the Russian air base there, a high-profile trip intended to underline Moscow’s role in the region.

Sergei Shoigu met with President Bashar Assad in Damascus for talks that focused on cooperation between the two militaries and “some aspects of cooperation in the fight against terrorist groups,” the Russian Defense Ministry said. It said Shoigu held talks with Assad on orders from President Vladimir Putin.

The visit comes a day after President Vladimir Putin suggested that some in the Syrian opposition could join the Cabinet to help advance the stalled peace process.

Shoigu also visited the Hemeimeem air base in the coasvival province of Lattakia, where he met with pilots and inspected their quarters, according to the Defense Ministry’s spokesman, Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov.



Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russias-defense-minister-visits-russian-air-base-in-syria/2016/06/18/2d539efe-356f-11e6-ab9d-1da2b0f24f93_story.html

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Russian Defense Minister Meets Assad, Inspects Khmeimim Airbase In Syria



Russia’s Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has visited Syria where he met with President Bashar Assad and inspected the Khmeimim air base, the Russian military said on Saturday. Shoigu and Assad discussed military cooperation and fight against terrorism.

Shoigu has met with the Syrian leader upon the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Ministry’s spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.


“Topical issues concerning military cooperation between the two countries’ defense ministries, as well as certain aspects of cooperation in the fight against terror groups that are active on Syrian territory, were discussed at the meeting,” Konashenkov said.

The minister inspected Russian Khmeimim air base in Latakia Province and also inspected the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system deployed there.

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https://www.rt.com/news/347288-shoigu-visits-airbase-syria/

[forest444]

1. Good. If we're serious about defeating ISIS, we all need to be on board.

I'm sure Turkey's Erdogan would rather we didn't - which is all the more reason to do so.

[840high]

2. Agree.