Image copyright Reuters The US military said that, according to them, Russia will equip a military airbase near the city of Latakia in northwestern Syria.
A Pentagon Jeff Davis said that in the last week have seen a steady influx of people and equipment on the air base, located near Latakia.
He, however, did not provide any details available to US intelligence information about the activity of Russian citizens in the region.
Jeff Davis said at a meeting with journalists that apparently the Russian military plans to build here airbase forward-based, although the US has not yet seen any combat aircraft or helicopters.
Russian Minister Sergei Lavrov admitted that Moscow sends to Syria military equipment to help the government in the fight against extremist group “Islamic State”.
But the Americans fear that the growing Russian military presence in the region will strengthen the regime of Bashar al-Assad a time when it is losing ground. All this, according to Washington may complicate attempts to settle the armed conflict in Syria.
Russian tanks
“We are seeing the movement of people and equipment, which may indicate on plans for using the base to the south of Latakia as an operational air base forward deployed “- said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Davis.
As reported by Reuters on Monday, two US officials told him that at the airbase are a half dozen Russian tanks. According to them, the intentions of Moscow in connection with the deployment of heavy weapons are not yet clear.
One of the US officials, who spoke to the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity, said that near the base near Latakia were found seven Russian T-90 tanks.
Two US representative also told Reuters that there are Russian artillery, which, according to their location, are designed to protect the Russian personnel at the base.
Earlier, Reuters reported that the base deployed 200 Russian Marines erected temporary residential houses and a mobile ground control station as well as the components of air defense.
Runway
One of the diplomats working in the region, also on condition of anonymity, told the agency that the runway is under construction.
“Trucks come and go. It seems that the runway was not designed for certain types of aircraft and they it will improve “, – the diplomat said.
Independent confirmation of these reports is not, and the Pentagon declined to comment on the agency, saying that he could not discuss intelligence.
However, earlier US officials have said the appearance here of Russian tanks and artillery.
The runway is located in an area that is considered a stronghold of the current Syrian government, which enjoys the support of Moscow.
In recent days, Russia more urge to explain how significantly strengthen its military presence in the region.
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