Putin: 600 Russians, Europeans Fighting with Syrian Rebels
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Some 600 Russians and Europeans are fighting alongside Syrian rebels against President Bashar Assad's regime, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday, warning the West against arming the opposition.
"At least 600 people originating from Russia and Europe are fighting on the side of the Syria opposition," Putin told the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum.
"So why deliver arms to illegal armed groups in Syria, if we do not have a clear understanding of who they are comprised of? Where would these arms end up?" he asked.
The European Union agreed end May to lift its embargo against arming Syrian rebels while Washington said last week it would send military aid to the opposition, without giving details on the kind of weapons it would provide.
Putin also warned against leaving a political void in Syria if Assad were to step down.
"Who will fill this void? Which terrorist organizations?" he asked, reiterating that it is the Syrian people who must decide Assad's fate.
Moscow is a staunch supporter of Assad's regime, and Putin has said that Russia would not rule out sending fresh arms to the Syrian regime.
21 June 2013, 23:40
00
lebpatriot why don't shut the hell up you Farsi traitor... Go back to Iran and bend over to pervert Khomeine.
21 June 2013, 23:50
32
It would appear that President Obama stood his grounds against during the G8 summit. The proof is that Putin and Lavrov have been running ragged the last few days putting out one communique after another first threatening to deliver the S-300 missiles then this from Putin etc. They thought they had the West cornered and they can dictate terms during Geneva-2. Well, think again.
The revolutionaries are now receiving weapons with teeth against aircraft and tanks and the outcome now is no longer as clearcut as the Russian, Iranian, HA and Assad axis thought it was after Qusayr.
Speaking of the number of foreigners fighting with the opposition, how about the several thousand Iranian and Hizbollah foreigners fighting on the regime's side? Can you spell double standards...
22 June 2013, 00:37
13
What makes you think they havent learned and that in fact they know exactly what they are doing?
22 June 2013, 21:56
00
But that us exactly what Obama is trying to reach which explains why he has not pushed for supporting the rebellion. The US administration is finally resorting to arming the rebels to keep the balance of power on the ground rather equal.
22 June 2013, 22:01
00
But Asad does not decide alone he is under the control of Iran. Do not forget that the alawit strong men including Asef Chawkat got eliminated by Iran, as it is widely believed so Iran can control the situation. Indeed the Iranian regime needs barely Syria and hizbullah to keep going. The day Asad falls the Iranian regime will disappear.
