Kremlin says current situation in Syria is result of Assad's policies

Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russia's leader, has stated that the current crisis in Syria is a result of President Bashar al-Assad's policies, although Russia previously helped stabilise the situation in the country.

Source: Russia state-owned news agency RIA Novosti;  Vy slushali Mayak ("You were listening to the Mayak") [supposedly a nod to the pro-government Mayak radio station, founded in the Soviet Union in the 1960’s – ed.] Telegram channel, which published audio commentary by Peskov

Details: Peskov said that Russia once helped Syria deal with terrorists and stabilise a situation that posed a threat to the entire region.

Quote from Peskov: "Russia helped the Syrian Arab Republic deal with terrorists at the time and contributed to stabilising the situation after it began threatening the entire region. Russia invested significant efforts for this purpose. In doing so, it fulfilled its mission."

Details: At the same time, Putin's spokesman stated that the subsequent actions of Bashar al-Assad's leadership, aimed at the country's development, caused the current crisis.  

"This development led to a complex situation that now requires work, taking current realities into account," Peskov added.

Background:

• On 10 December, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reported that the Russians have used ships and military transport aircraft to load remaining troops, weapons and equipment and return from Syria to Russia.
• Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that during the night of 9-10 December, Israeli Navy missile ships destroyed the Syrian navy as part of a large-scale operation to eliminate strategic threats to Israel.
• Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russia's leader, stated on Monday, 9 December, that the Kremlin is working to establish contact in Syria with individuals or groups capable of ensuring the security of its military bases.
• The Syrian rebels announced on the morning of 8 December that they had captured the Syrian capital, Damascus. The country's President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled.
• Russian state-owned news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow and Russia has granted them asylum.
• The ISW (Institute for the Study of War) reports that the loss of military bases in Syria could seriously undermine the Kremlin's ability to conduct operations in Africa. It would weaken Russia's position in Libya and sub-Saharan Africa and call into question its influence over African authoritarian regimes.

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