Russian Air Force Attacks Sham Legion Training Camp
Russia-Turkey Support Opponents in Libya, Syria, and South Caucasus
Potential Worsening of Syrian Civil War Situation
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Russian Air Force reportedly attacked Syrian rebel forces backed by Turkey, resulting in dozens of casualties. The delicate relationship between Russia and Turkey is now at risk of destabilization.
On the 26th (local time), Syrians are holding funerals for those who lost their lives in the bombing. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]
According to the Washington Post on the 26th (local time), the Russian Air Force attacked a training camp of the Sham Legion, part of the Syrian rebel National Liberation Front. The Sham Legion is a Syrian rebel group supported by the Turkish government. The attack reportedly killed 35 people and injured 77.
This attack draws attention due to the uneasy relationship between Russia and Turkey. Russia and Turkey currently support opposing sides in conflicts in Libya, Syria, and the Azerbaijan-Armenia war. In the Libyan civil war, Turkey supports the Government of National Accord, while Russia backs the Libyan National Army. In the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, Turkey openly supports Azerbaijan, whereas Russia has a military alliance with Armenia. Notably, Turkey is suspected of deploying Syrian refugees it supports as mercenaries to Libya and Azerbaijan. Russia has claimed that the Sham Legion provided troops dispatched to Libya and Azerbaijan in this context.
Although Russia and Turkey have clashed geopolitically in various regions, they have maintained a peculiar dialogue channel by keeping communication lines open. However, as geopolitical conflicts continue to recur, doubts have grown about whether the friendly relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an can be sustained.
Despite various setbacks, including the Turkish military shooting down a Russian military aircraft, the two countries have maintained dialogue channels. Previously, President Putin demonstrated a special relationship by expressing support for President Erdo?an during the 2016 Turkish military coup attempt. In response, President Erdo?an visited Russia shortly after the coup attempt to strengthen their friendship.
There is controversy over the affiliation of the aircraft that carried out the bombing. Russian media claim that the aircraft involved in the attack was Syrian Air Force, not Russian. Conversely, the Sham Legion asserts that the aircraft that conducted the attack took off from the Hmeimim Air Base in Syria, which is currently used by the Russian Air Force.
The situation in Syria is also tense. Since Russia and Turkey agreed to a ceasefire in Syria in March this year, this bombing represents the largest military attack to date. Syrian rebel forces have vowed retaliation against Russia's attack.
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