There is a notion that Russia has illegally invaded Syria and is busy destroying the opposition to please the acting president Bashar Assad.
But before throwing stones, it’s always good to have a closer look at the situation.
First of all, Russia is not taking part in any operation on the ground, its actions are limited to providing air support to the Syrian army by means of destroying the ISIS infrastructure.
Secondly, how did Russians get involved in Syria? There are only two legal ways to carry out military intervention: by request and invitation of the head of state in question and by a resolution of the UN Security Council.
In this case, Mr Assad (who is still legitimate president) requested military help from Russia in order to fight the IS terrorists.
Russia promptly replied. So by the looks of it everything is strictly in accordance with the international law and 100 per cent legal.
It’s true that there is an international coalition led by the US, but for some reason they have been fighting the acting president Assad and not (as one might think) the incarnation of evil that the ISIS undoubtedly is.
The keystone of the coalition’s rhetoric is that ‘Syria has no future with Assad’. So the West chose to support what they call a ‘moderate opposition’ (which has shown no particular moderation in their ways and methods) even though there is enough evidence now on the close link between some of those ‘oppositionist’ and the ISIS.
So, according to the US’ propaganda, the situation in Syria is as follows: ‘good” terrorists are fighting the ‘oppressor’ the legitimately elected president and former school teacher) Bashar Assad.
According to common sense though, Mr Assad is now the only power standing in the way of the ISIS’s further advance.
No one invited the US to meddle in Syria. They have neither the UNSC approval, nor a direct invitation from the Syrian authorities.
Chilumba Mulenga,
KAFUE