MOSCOW – Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov has sought the Self-Defense Forces’ participation in humanitarian operations being conducted by Moscow and others in the Syrian city of Aleppo, where fierce ongoing battles have left the area decimated.
During a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Russia Toyohisa Kozuki in Moscow on Thursday, Antonov made an explanation about the ongoing humanitarian support operations and said that the Russian side has asked the Japanese Defense Ministry for the SDF’s participation, an announcement by the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.
Russia has joined the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad in carrying out joint military operations against the opposition in the Syrian civil war.
While the United Nations has recognized the need for humanitarian assistance in Syria, the SDF’s participation under the current circumstances could lead to Japan indirectly helping to prop up the Assad regime.
Both the regime and the opposition have been accused of atrocities, including the use of chemical weapons.
At the meeting, Kozuki and Antonov gave high marks to defense exchanges and cooperation between Japan and Russia.
Antonov also warned that the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to South Korea could adversely affect the military and diplomatic environment in the region.
During a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Russia Toyohisa Kozuki in Moscow on Thursday, Antonov made an explanation about the ongoing humanitarian support operations and said that the Russian side has asked the Japanese Defense Ministry for the SDF’s participation, an announcement by the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.
Russia has joined the Syrian regime of President Bashar Assad in carrying out joint military operations against the opposition in the Syrian civil war.
While the United Nations has recognized the need for humanitarian assistance in Syria, the SDF’s participation under the current circumstances could lead to Japan indirectly helping to prop up the Assad regime.
Both the regime and the opposition have been accused of atrocities, including the use of chemical weapons.
At the meeting, Kozuki and Antonov gave high marks to defense exchanges and cooperation between Japan and Russia.
Antonov also warned that the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to South Korea could adversely affect the military and diplomatic environment in the region.
