USA TODAY International Edition
U. S. rebukes Russian strike
Putin’s policy in Syria ‘ doomed to fail,’ Defense secretary says
WASHINGTON Russia launched its first airstrike in Syria on Wednesday after its military buildup in the embattled country, drawing a sharp rebuke from the United States and raising tensions further in the region.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter called Russian policy in Syria “ill- advised” and said it was “doomed to fail.”
The airstrike came days after President Obama met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss Russia’s military buildup in Syria.
The United States and Russia share a common goal of repelling the Islamic State from Syria, but they differ over the future of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Russia has been a principal backer of his regime during the country’s four- year civil war while the United States has called for the Syrian leader to be removed because of documented abuses against Syrian civilians.
The administration’s concern is that in combating the Islamic State, a potent threat to Assad, Russia would strengthen the Syrian leader’s hold on power and prolong the war.
Russia’s escalated involvement is tantamount to “pouring gasoline on the fire,” Carter said, since it is Assad who has drawn the Islamic State and other radicals into Syria’s raging civil war. He said it is critical for Russia to also push for new leadership in Syria.
The Pentagon questioned Russian claims that its military strategy is to target the Islamic State militants, suggesting the real aim is to prop up Assad. Carter pointed out that the Russian airstrike, which the Pentagon said was near Homs, is not in an area known as an Islamic State stronghold.
Any attacks on moderate forces opposing Assad would be a blow to the United States, which backs those rebels, but it was not clear how the Pentagon would re- spond to attacks on U. S.- supported opponents of Assad.
The United States was given one hour’s notice before the Russian strike took place, the Pentagon said. The notice was provided in Baghdad, where the Russians have set up a coordination unit with Iraq’s government. A highranking Russian officer there notified a U. S. military official at the U. S. Embassy in Baghdad.
Carter said the U. S.- led coalition would continue its daily airstrikes on Islamic State targets, regardless of Russian actions.
The Pentagon plans to hold regular meetings with Russian military officials to avoid inadvertent clashes between Russian and coalition activities in Syria, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said Tuesday.
U. S. Defense chief says he questions Russia’s claim that it is targeting Islamic State militants since the airstrike hit an area not known to be an ISIL stronghold.