Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 21 (March 2023 - April 2023)
Russia Is A Terrorist State: Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 21 (March 2023 - April 2023)
“President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken talk on the phone with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley, Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The call was to discuss retaliations in response to Iran-backed groups’ attack on Americans in Syria” under public domain by Adam Schultz of The White House.
In March and April 2023, Russia’s role in the conflict in Syria, along with its implications for the United States, dominated headlines. Tensions escalated as Russian fighter jets flew over U.S. troops in Syria, raising concerns about potential clashes. The month began with reports of an uptick in Russian fighter jets flying over American bases in Syria. These incidents occurred almost daily, creating a sense of unease and prompting the U.S. Air Chief to express concern about the situation.
On March 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his plans to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. These discussions, which took place on March 15, focused on rebuilding Syria and addressing regional issues. Assad expressed his desire for more Russian bases and troops in the country, signaling a strong alliance between Syria and Russia.
Meanwhile, the Syrian conflict entered its 13th year, and hopes for Syria's rebuilding began to dim. Despite ongoing efforts, the war's devastating impact hindered progress. In late March, the U.S. Department of Defense responded to an attack that killed a U.S. contractor in Syria, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by American personnel in the region.
International diplomacy also played a role during this period. Moscow hosted a meeting between Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Russia, aiming to foster better relations among these countries. The talks, held on March 28, aimed to explore potential agreements and regional cooperation.
One significant factor driving Russia's involvement in Syria was the impact of sanctions. The Chatham House think tank highlighted how sanctions against Russia had inadvertently driven closer cooperation between Russia and Syria, particularly in the area of wheat trade.
Tensions between Russia and the United States continued to escalate. Russia lodged protests about what it considered "provocative actions" by U.S. forces in Syria. Reports emerged of Russian warplanes circling a U.S. airbase, further heightening concerns of potential conflict between the two powers. There were even accusations that Ukraine had planned attacks on Russian forces in Syria, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
Russia's warming ties with Iran also drew attention. The closer relationship between these two countries raised concerns about Israel's security coordination in Syria and its potential implications.
As April began, Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Syria held talks aimed at improving relations and fostering rapprochement. These discussions, which continued throughout the month, aimed to find common ground and explore areas of cooperation among the countries involved.
The situation in Syria also drew attention from the international community. The Atlantic Council analyzed how Iranian and Syrian factors shaped Israel's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while Defense One reported that Russian warplanes were allegedly trying to provoke dogfights with U.S. jets in Syria. These incidents heightened the risk of a direct confrontation between Russian and American forces.
Towards the end of April, Turkish forces killed the chief of the Islamic State (IS) in a raid in Syria, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This development marked a significant blow against the extremist group.
Overall, March and April 2023 were marked by increased tensions between Russia and the United States regarding Syria, with the United States and other regional players closely monitoring the situation. The conflict's complexity, the ongoing war in Syria, and the dynamics of international diplomacy all contributed to a volatile and precarious situation in the region.
Written in part in collaboration with ChatGPT on June 2, 2023
Previous: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 20 (January 2023 - February 2023)
Next: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria - Part 22 (May 2023 - June 2023)
Return to Start: Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria
Putin Is A War Criminal
Russia Is A Terrorist State:
Part 1 (1990s)
Part 2 (2000s)
Part 3 (2011 - 2016)
Part 4 (2016 - 2019)
Part 5 (2020 - 2021)
Part 6: (2022+)
Sources for Profile in Focus | Russia in Syria Part 21 (March 2023 - April 2023):
Putin to hold talks with Syria's Assad on Wednesday: Kremlin - France24 March 14, 2023
Analysis: Syria rebuilding hopes dim as war enters year 13 - AP News March 15, 2023
Putin, Assad discuss rebuilding Syria, regional issues - AP News March 15, 2023
Syria's Assad would like more Russian bases and troops - Reuters March 16, 2023
Air chief reports spike in Russian jets flying over U.S. base in Syria - AXIOS March 22, 2023
Moscow to host Syria, Turkey, Iran, Russia meeting - official sources - Reuters March 28, 2023
Wheat and war: How sanctions are driving Russia-Syria cooperation - CHATHAM HOUSE MARCH 29, 2023
Russia protests about 'provocative actions' by U.S. forces in Syria - Reuters March 31, 2023
Russia protests over ‘provocative actions’ by US forces in Syria - Al Jazeera April 1, 2023
Moscow hosts talks aimed at Syria-Turkey rapprochement - AP News April 4, 2023
Moscow hosts talks aimed at Syria-Turkey rapprochement - The Independent April 4, 2023
Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iran Discuss Ankara-Damascus Agreement - Bloomberg April 4, 2023
Turkey, Russia, Iran, Syria Hold 'Constructive' Talks - VOA News | Reuters April 25, 2023
Moscow hosts more Turkey-Syria rapprochement talks - AP News April 25, 2023
Russian pilots tried to ‘dogfight’ US jets over Syria, US Central Command says - CNN April 29, 2023
Turkish forces kill Islamic State chief in Syria raid, says Erdoğan - The Guardian April 30, 2023