October 22, 2015

Make no mistake: Assad and Putin are hanging out together

located:	Russia, Syria
editor:	Vanessa Ellingham

The Syrian President has made his first foreign visit since the uprising against his authoritarian rule broke out at the height of the Arab spring in 2011. Since then 250,000 people have died and millions have been displaced.

Assad was, of course, in Russia, on Tuesday to thank Putin and his people for their military support in fighting the "terrorists" that threaten his army. You know, the one which drops chemical warfare on its own people.

Because to Assad, "terrorists" don't just mean Isis, but actually any rebel groups fighting to overthrow his regime.

Under the guise of fighting against Isis, Russia began military operations in Syria earlier this year. However, their intervention has so far primarily targeted rebel groups, including those backed by regional and western states, with a minority of airstrikes hitting Isis.

The regime has opened several fronts against the rebels, backed by Russian airstrikes, hoping to take back territory in Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Latakia.

Russia has said it will be following this meeting - a major turning point in the four-and-a-half-year war - with plans to meet with the US, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Friday to specifically discuss Syria.