Armenian military joins Russia in Syria

U.S. Azeris Network [usazerisnetwork@gmail.com]

Call to Action Armenia sent an 83-person strong military mission to Aleppo, Syria comprised of servicemen, military and civilian de-miners and medics. Russian and Assad’s forces have been in control o

Call to Action

Armenia sent an 83-person strong military mission to Aleppo, Syria comprised of servicemen, military and civilian de-miners and medics. Russian and Assad’s forces have been in control of Aleppo since its capture in 2017. With the announcement of US withdrawal from Syria, Russia has been adamantly establishing its positions in the country by strengthening its forces and pulling along its closest allies. Armenia was the first ally of Moscow to publicly announce its decision to go hand-in-hand with Kremlin in its foreign policy endeavors in the Middle East.

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan described this step by Yerevan as a “joint decision” of Russia and Armenia back in September 2018 after meeting Russian President Putin in Moscow.

Portraying the joint mission as “humanitarian” Armenia announced it on February 8, 2019 when its Defense Minister met his Russian counterpart in Moscow. Russian Defense Minister thanked Armenia for being the “first to respond to our (Russian) appeal to help the Syrian people,” and called it a “significant contribution” while Armenian Defense Minister thanked Russia for “organizing our humanitarian mission in Syria.” Armenian Defense Ministry also clarified that Armenian military will serve in Syria “with the assistance of the Russian side.” Armenia’s joining Russian counterparts in Syria signifies the “presence” of international support to Russia’s presence in the country.

This is the first serious foreign policy decision by the new Pashinyan Government formed in Armenia in January. For Prime Minister Pashinyan, it is a personal oath of loyalty to Moscow while for Armenia it reconfirms the path of unbreakable dependence on Russia.

Please take a moment to send this letter to your elected officials and local media to inform them about the development, and how Armenia continues to work against US interests in Syria and the region, as a whole.