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| The '''Russia-Syria-Iran-Iraq Coalition''' was formed after the ]i Joint Operations Command announced that ], ], ] and ] would "help and cooperate in collecting information about the terrorist Daesh (])", In order to help combat the advances of the group.<ref name=CNN>{{cite web|last1=Mullen|first1=Jethro|title=Iraq agrees to share intelligence with Russia, Iran and Syria|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/27/middleeast/iraq-russia-iran-syria-intelligence-deal/|publisher=CNN|accessdate=September 28, 2015}}</ref><ref name= AlJazeera>{{cite web|title=Iraq, Russia, Iran and Syria coordinate against ISIL|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/iraq-russia-iran-syria-coordinate-isil-150927125919507.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate=September 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name=Times>{{cite web|last1=GORDON|first1=MICHAEL|title=Russia Surprises U.S. With Accord on Battling ISIS|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/28/world/middleeast/iraq-agrees-to-share-intelligence-on-isis-with-russia-syria-and-iran.html?_r=0|publisher=New York Times|accessdate=2015}}</ref> | |||
| The announcement also cited "the increasing concern from Russia about thousands of Russian terrorists committing criminal acts within ISIS."<ref name=CNN/> | |||
| In October 2015, it was revealed that the Russia-Syria-Iran-Iraq coalition may have been devised during the visit by ], commander of the Iranian ], to Moscow in July 2015.<ref name=Wall/><ref name="plot"/><ref name=Insider/><ref name= kommersant/> | |||
| In the early days of the campaign, the ] had significant ground support from the ], ], and allied militias.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/10/01/iran-prepares-ground-action-syria-russian-air-cover/|title=Iran Prepares Ground Action in Syria With Russian Air Cover|work=Breitbart}}</ref><ref name= REUTERS>{{cite web|title=US, allies ask Russia to halt strikes outside IS areas in Syria|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1210559/us-allies-ask-russia-to-halt-strikes-outside-is-areas-in-syria|publisher=REUTERS|accessdate=October 3, 2015}}</ref> The United States, along with its Western and ] allies, have criticized this coalition; most airstrikes during the first week of the campaign, they allege, struck areas held by rebel groups opposed to both the Syrian government and ISIS. | |||
| Several months of air strikes conducted by the ], ostensibly against ] targets, however, failed to prevent the expansion of ISIS.<ref>{{cite news|title=Months of Airstrikes Fail to Slow Islamic State in Syria|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-led-airstrikes-fail-to-slow-islamic-state-in-syria-1421271618|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|accessdate= October 1, 2015|issn=0099-9660|first=Dion|last=Nissenbaum|date=14 January 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==Background== | |||
| {{see also|Northwestern Syria offensive (October 2015)||Iranian involvement in the Syrian Civil War}} | |||
| Syria's civil war started when opposing groups in the country protested against ]'s rule in early 2011, the protests ultimately turning violent and drawing-in regional opponents and supporters of Assad. The war is being conducted between multiple opposition and government groups. More than 250,000 people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced.<ref name=Times/><ref name= REUTERS/> | |||
| With most opponents, and their western allies, demanding Assad's departure as a precondition for talks, efforts to find a solution have failed thus far. Recently, however, Western countries have said Assad could play some role in a transition.<ref name=Reuters2>{{cite web|last1=EVANS AND AL-KHALIDI|first1=SULEIMAN , DOMINIC|title=Assad says Russian air campaign vital to save Middle East|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/10/04/mideast-crisis-assad-iran-idINKCN0RY0EY20151004|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=October 4, 2015}}</ref> In response, Assad has explained that, "in regard to their recent statements about a transitional period and other issues, I say clearly that it's not up to any foreign official to decide Syria's future." | |||
| He has accused the US and its allies of hypocrisy for their support for insurgents, saying that air strikes by Syrian jets, now joined by Russia, have been far more productive than anything performed by the year-long air operations by the US and its Western and Arab allies.<ref name= REUTERS/> | |||
| "Countries which support terrorism cannot battle terrorism," he stated. "That's the truth of the coalition that we see... That's why after a year and several months we see no results."<ref name= REUTERS/> | |||
| "We see the opposite... terrorism has spread geographically and won more volunteers and recruits".<ref name= REUTERS/> | |||
| Russia in September 2015 started sending its own Russian-operated warplanes and other military hardware as well as combat troops to an ] near the port city of ] in Syria.<ref name="buildup">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/14/russia-sends-artillery-and-tanks-to-syria-as-part-of-continued-military-buildup|title=Russia sends artillery and tanks to Syria as part of continued military buildup |author=Alec Luhn|work=The Guardian|accessdate=9 October 2015|date=14 September 2015}}</ref> The action was undertaken at an official request by the Syrian government headed by President ],<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://sana.sy/en/?p=56454|title=Syria's ambassador to Russia urges all countries to join Syria and Russia against terrorism|author=Manal|agency=Syrian Arab News Agency}}</ref> who After the ] of ] to a ] in the first half of 2015, the situation was judged to have become critical for his survival. High level talks were held between ] and ] in the first half of 2015 and a political agreement was achieved.<ref name="plot">{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/06/us-mideast-crisis-syria-soleimani-insigh-idUSKCN0S02BV20151006|title=How Iranian general plotted out Syrian assault in Moscow|agency=Reuters|accessdate= October 14, 2015|date=6 October 2015}}</ref> In October 2015, it was revealed<ref name="plot"/> that the Russian operation in Syria may have been devised during the visit by ], commander of the Iranian ], to Moscow in July 2015, which was then denied by Russian officials.<ref name="kommersant"/><ref name="Радио">{{cite web|url=http://www.svoboda.org/content/article/27188701.html|title=МИД России: иранский генерал Сулеймани в Москве не был|work=Радио Свобода|accessdate=October 16, 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==The agreement== | |||
| At the end of September 2015, a joint information centre in Baghdad was set up by Iran, Iraq, Russia and Syria to coordinate their operations against ISIL<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rt.com/news/316592-russia-syria-islamic-state/|title=Russia, Iran, Iraq & Syria setting up 'joint information center' to coordinate anti-ISIS operations|work=RT English}}</ref> According to Russian foreign minister ]′s statement made in mid-October 2015, prior to the start of its operations in Syria, Russia invited the U.S. to join the Baghdad-based information center but received what he called an "unconstructive" response. Putin′s proposal that the U.S. receive a high-level Russian delegation and that a U.S. delegation arrive in Moscow to discuss co-operation in Syria was likewise declined by the U.S.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/10/14/uk-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-lavrov-idUKKCN0S810P20151014?mod=related&channelName=worldNews|title=Russia's Lavrov says Washington declines deeper military talks on Syria|work=NEWSru|accessdate=October 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rt.com/news/318634-us-refusal-russian-delegation/|title=US refuses to receive PM Medvedev's delegation to coordinate anti-terrorist actions in Syria|work=RT English|accessdate=October 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsru.com/russia/14oct2015/lavrov.html|title="Это обидно": Лавров сообщил, что США отказались принять делегацию РФ для обсуждения сирийского кризиса|work=NEWSru|accessdate=October 16, 2015}}</ref> | |||
| After a formal request from the ] for military help against rebel and ] groups in Syria, the coalition started its work.<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia carries out first air strikes in Syria|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/russian-carries-air-strikes-syria-150930133155190.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|accessdate= October 1, 2015|date=30 September 2015}}</ref> It is generally thought that Iran will play a leading role in the ground operations of Syria's army and allies, whilst Russia will be leading in the air in conjunction with the Syrian air force, thereby establishing a complementary role.<ref name="theglobeandmail.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/khamenei-calls-for-stronger-iranian-military-to-deter-enemies/article26610890/|title=Iranian troops join ground offensive in Syria|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> For Western countries and the Russia-Syria-Iran-Iraq coalition ISIS has been a common enemy, although each country has very different friends and opposing views of how to solve the crisis.<ref name= REUTERS/> | |||
| In an interview with Iranian TV, Assad said that the success of this military agreement was vital to save the Middle East from destruction. He said that the year-long air campaign by US-led coalition had been counterproductive and had helped terrorism to spread and win new recruits, but that the new coalition of Russia, Syria, Iran, and Iraq, could achieve real results.<ref name= REUTERS/> | |||
| ==Iran's role== | |||
| {{Main|Iranian involvement in the Syrian Civil War}} | |||
| Other than being a crucial thoroughfare to Hezbollah in ], Syria has been the only consistent ally for Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. Iran has provided significant support for the Syrian Government in the ], including logistical, technical and financial support.<ref name="IranBoostY4telegraph">, telegraph, 21 Feb 2014</ref> | |||
| In April 2014, Hossein Amir-Abdolahian, Iranian deputy foreign minister, said: "We aren’t seeking to have Bashar Assad remain president for life. But we do not subscribe to the idea of using extremist forces and terrorism to topple Assad and the Syrian government."<ref>{{cite news|last=Moghtader|first=Michelle|title=Iran does not seek indefinite power for Assad, senior diplomat says|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Apr-04/252258-iran-does-not-seek-indefinite-power-for-assad-senior-diplomat-says.ashx#axzz2y7sng6sf|accessdate=April 6, 2014|newspaper=The Daily Star ( Lebanon ) |date=April 4, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| On 24 July General Qasem Soleimani visited Moscow<ref name=Wall>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-iran-seen-coordinating-on-defense-of-assad-regime-in-syria-1442856556|title=Russia, Iran Seen Coordinating on Defense of Assad Regime in Syria|author1=Jay Solomon|author2=Sam Dagher|date=21 September 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> to devise the details of the plan for coordinated military action in Syria.<ref name="plot"/><ref name=Insider>{{cite web|url=http://uk.businessinsider.com/israeli-official-irans-military-mastermind-went-to-russia-to-talk-to-putin-saving-assad-2015-9?r=US&IR=T|title=Israeli official: Iran mastermind went to Russia – Business Insider|date=10 September 2015|work=Business Insider}}</ref> In October 2015, it was revealed<ref name="plot"/> that the Russia-Syria-Iran-Iraq coalition may have been devised during his visit.<ref name="plot"/><ref name= kommersant>{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/Doc/2789564|title=Ъ - Иранский генерал потерялся между Тегераном и Москвой|work=kommersant.ru|accessdate=October 16, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Радио"/> | |||
| Citing two Lebanese sources, Reuters reported on October 1, 2015 that hundreds of Iranian troops arrived in Syria over the previous 10 days and would soon join Syrian government forces and their Lebanese Hezbollah allies in a major ground offensive backed by Russian air strikes.<ref name=Reuters2/> | |||
| Iran has also been training Iraqi Shia militias who are fighting ISIS.<ref name=CNN/> | |||
| ==Reactions== | |||
| *{{flag|US}}: The US-led coalition that is launching its own air strikes against ISIS demanded that Russia stop attacking targets other than ISIS. “We call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians and to focus its efforts on fighting ISIL,” said the US-led coalition.<ref name= REUTERS/> it also objected to Assad's participation in the intelligence sharing.<ref name=Times/> By the opposition other than ISIS it is meant the groups have received training and weapons from US and other Assad's enemies.<ref name= REUTERS/> “We do not support the presence of Syrian government officials who are part of a regime that has brutalized its own citizens,” said Col. Steven H. Warren, the spokesman for the US-led coalition.<ref name=Times/> | |||
| * {{flag|Britain}}: "They are backing the butcher Assad, which is a terrible mistake, for them and the world," said British Prime Minister David Cameron.<ref name= REUTERS/><ref>{{cite news|title=Cameron condemns Russia's military action in Syria as 'terrible mistake' – video|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2015/oct/04/david-cameron-russia-military-syria-video|accessdate=22 October 2015|agency=The Guardian|date=4 October 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
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| ==References== | |||
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