Russia Calls On Other Nations To Help Arm Syrian Government

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday called on world powers to help arm the Syrian army, describing it as the most efficient force against the Islamic State group.

The U.S. and NATO have raised concerns over Russia’s military buildup in Syria since they see President Bashar Assad as the cause of the Syrian crisis, which has claimed more than 250,000 lives in over four years. Moscow in its turn has sought to cast arms supplies to Assad’s government as part of international efforts to combat Islamic State militants.

The increased Russian activity in Syria reflects Moscow’s deep concerns that its longtime ally is on the brink of collapse, as well as hopes by President Vladimir Putin that a common battle against Islamic State extremists can improve Russia’s ties with the West, strained over Ukraine.

Lavrov said in Moscow yesterday that Russia would continue to supply Assad with weapons and called on other countries to help the Syrian government and its ground troops.