Filling the US vacuum: Russia's military deployed in the former ISIS capital in Syria
A-Raqq occupation two years ago was the biggest achievement in the US campaign against the organization, but Moscow has been marching into the territories Trump has cleared in recent months. Russian soldiers have been documented with Syrian children, and military doctors have provided medical treatment to residents.
Filling the US vacuum: Russia's military deployed in the former ISIS capital in Syria
Editing: Asaf DruryRussian forces entered Non-Raqqa, which served as the capital of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria. The Russian military's deployment in the city is another prominent example of Moscow filling the vacuum created by US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from northeast Syria. Russian soldiers were seen in the footage of the Russian channel Zabzade, belonging to the Ministry of Defense, shaking hands of Syrian children and unpacking humanitarian aid packages with the slogan "Russia you" written on the back of the trucks.
A-Raqqa was released two years ago by American forces and their Kurdish allies, in what was the biggest victory in Washington's fight against ISIS in Syria. However, since the sudden withdrawal of the United States in October, Moscow has advanced rapidly in the territory where US forces have recently operated. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, which was ordered by the Kurds to control their territory after the Turkish offensive in northeastern Syria, made possible after the US evacuation from the region.
"The demolition works and the area (bombs or mines) have not yet been completed and there is a shortage of clean water, drugs and food," the Defense Ministry officer Vladimir Wernavsky was quoted as saying by the RIA. He said Russian forces in Al-Raqqa are distributing humanitarian aid and army doctors are providing residents with medical care.
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Syrian army forces in a-Raka city, Syria, December 2019 (Photo: official website)
Last month, Russia established a helicopter base in northeastern Syria and deployed troops at a large air base in the region, from which the United States withdrew. In addition, Russia and Turkey hold joint tours along Syria's border with Turkey, as part of an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to end the Kurdish offensive.
Washington left a certain military force in the area, though it said all U.S. troops would leave northern Syria, but it reduced most of its military operations.
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To the full article"Russia with you." Russian soldiers hand out aid packages
Syrian army forces in a-Raka city, Syria, December 2019 (Photo: official website)