Assad is believed to control a quarter or less of Syrian territory, but the bulk of people still in the country are in the main cities of western Syria that he holds. Rebels have appealed for more military support from foreign backers, including Saudi Arabia, to confront major Syrian army offensives. Citing on-the-ground reports from a multitude of sources, the Washington-based think tank says Russian jet fighters and helicopter gunships fly only a smattering of missions against the Islamic State’s terrorist army, the prime objective of the U.S.-led coalition’s year-old air campaign in Syria and Iraq.
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Kerry said in Vienna on Friday he expected new talks on Syria to begin as soon as next week.
Two rebel members, including a commander of a CIA-backed group, said representatives of the Russian government have reached out to them to arrange for meetings. He added that Russian Federation was still striking FSA positions.
Human Rights Watch this month said it documented the unleashing of Russian cluster bombs on a rebel village of Kafr Halab in the northwest. The second airstrike hit a nearby town, killing 13 civilians and a local FSA commander near a bakery.
“It is clear that Russian Federation and Iran are supportive of Assad, and certainly publicly have argued that it is important for Assad to be there for the stability of the country”, Kerry said. But so far the U.S.-led coalition has refused to cooperate with Russia’s operations beyond a basic agreement meant to prevent midair incidents. The USA and allies like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and much of Europe are united in insisting that Assad must step down for a credible transition to occur.
Another Russian parliamentary deputy present at Sunday’s talks, Alexander Yushchenko, said Assad was ready to take part in a presidential election “if the Syrian people consider it necessary”, Russian news agency RIA reported.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud on Saturday evening received U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and an accompanying delegation at his palace in Saudi capital Riyadh.
It’s a move likely seeking to capitalize on what USA officials see as traction following Russia’s military intervention in Syria.
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In comments to Asharq al-Awsat published Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said the Kingdom insists “on an independent body to manage the transitional period in a way that guarantees the territorial integrity of Syria without Assad’s presence; while Russian Federation speaks of elections in search for a role for Assad”.
