Putin signs new law: Russia’s warcraft to stay in Syria for indefinite period


Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a federal law on ratifying an agreement between Russia and Syria on the deployment of an aviation group of the Russian armed forces in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Kremlin press service reported on Friday.

The deal stipulates that the Russian air force group will be deployed at the request of the Syrian side at the Hmeymim airfield n the Latakia province indefinitely and on a pro bono basis, state-controlled news agency TASS reports.

The air group’s composition is determined by an agreement between the parties.

“The Russian aviation group is used in accordance with the decision of its commander, the plans agreed by the parties are taken into account,” the document says.

The Syrian side is reported to have ‘no claim against the activities of Russian aviation group and its personnel’; its vehicles and aircraft enjoy immunities, including that from inspection.

Russia’s military operation in Syria was launched on Seprember 30, 2015. The Federation Council (the upper house of Russia’s parliament) granted permission to Vladimir Putin to use the country’s troops in Syria. Sergey Ivanov, Kremlin chief of staff, stressed that Russia was going to use only its Air Force against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant on Syrian President Bashar Assad’s request.

International community blasted Russia for engaging in airstrikes against moderate anti-Assad rebels and civilians.

belsat.eu

TWITTER