Russia, for God’s Sake, Stay Away From Syria!

Our reader Sergei Novikov opines what may happen to Russia if Moscow is dragged into the Syrian conflict.

By Sergei Novikov

Every report about Russia’s possible participation in a fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) is sending goosebumps down my spine. Just like every other country, Russia deplores ISIL’s atrocities and in addition helps Syria with humanitarian aid. But then something very weird happened in mid-September out of the blue. Damascus gave Moscow a right to combat ISIL on its territory and the Kremlin responded that it would consider a corresponding formal request. Russia energized the delivery of its arms contracts with Syria, intensifying the arming of the republic. Russian specs are instructing the Syrian Army. Everything is being done officially. Western media published alleged photos of Russian vehicles in Syria. What is actually happening is that Russia is teetering on the brink of a devastating war.

Someone may say: that’s cool, fearless Russian warriors will finally squash the evil ISIL and save the world from this plague, eradicating it once and for all. But there are so many hidden dangers… There is something terribly wrong with how smoothly this spiral is unfolding.

I will accept the scenario when Russia’s role wraps up at arming Assad’s troops. That’s the most logical way: Syrians must be the spearhead force in liberating their homeland, right?

#ToVictory"@syria24english Putin: Syria has only one legitimate army, the army of Pres Assad #SyrianArmy #SAA #Syria pic.twitter.com/jhqYi1Hsnq

— Sunset (@_darkhours) September 27, 2015

But the developments hint that Russia could be dragged into carrying out operations itself. The minimal variant is smashing the terrorists with airstrikes. But then the question arises: isn’t the existing 60-country-strong coalition sufficient to dismantle the enemy? Well yes, some countries are participating just in the form of sending a pair of compasses and helmets, and that’s all of their part. The US has been doing the entire job, and its combat capabilities are immense. Aren’t the US airstrikes deadly enough to destroy ISIL? We should abstain now from comparing the Air Forces of the two nations: they both can grind ISIL to dust if they are ordered to. But surprisingly, the US airstrikes have not inflicted irreparable losses to ISIL: sometimes it even looks like someone warns terrorists of the upcoming air raids in advance…

So then come the Russians. Just imagine that a runaway missile from a Russian plane strikes a civilian district. Western media are impatiently waiting for such a moment to drag Russia’s name through the mire and further tear its image to tatters (mind how they slam Russia in light of the Donbass conflict, in which Russia even is not a part).

#Syria #SyrianArabArmy #SyrianArmy Soldier who recently got married. #SAA #NDF pic.twitter.com/w5rxg7z7hc

— Ivan Sidorenko (@IvanSidorenko1) September 27, 2015

But what if Moscow decides to put boots on the ground? That will be equal to a suicide.

First, Russia has never conducted successful military operations abroad. Russia annihilated all its enemies who dared encroach on Russia’s territory and attacked first, be it Napoleon’s or Hitler’s invasions. This is how the Russian spirit projects itself. So in my opinion, a ground operation will turn into a catastrophe despite all lethal Russian weapons.

Second, it will unleash all the anger of jihadists on Russia. There is the restless North Caucasus, where counterterrorist operations are still taking place from time to time; there are millions of Islamic migrants prone to radicalization…

Coffins coming back from Syria is the last thing I want to see…

The mission of saving the world may backfire against Russia. It looks like the UN General Assembly, where Putin and Obama are expected to meet, will dot the “i’s” and cross the “t’s.” Let’s wait and hope for the only wise solution – and there is only one – avoid getting tangled up in Syria.

The views and opinions contained in this article are those of the author. They do not necessarily represent the views of Russian Accent. 

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#airstrikes#ISIL#Russia#Syria#Syrian Army