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Assad’s Obduracy Gives Putin a Syria ‘Headache’

Civil Defense personnel in Afrin after the bombing of a booby-trapped tanker (AFP)
Civil Defense personnel in Afrin after the bombing of a booby-trapped tanker (AFP)
    Moscow, Ankara - Raed Jaber, Saeed Abdulrazzak
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Assad’s Obduracy Gives Putin a Syria ‘Headache’

Civil Defense personnel in Afrin after the bombing of a booby-trapped tanker (AFP)
Civil Defense personnel in Afrin after the bombing of a booby-trapped tanker (AFP)

Sources in Moscow revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is having hard times in dealing with President Bashar Al-Assad's stubbornness over several issues, at a time when Moscow started an active move on two diplomatic and military tracks related to Syria.

For the diplomatic track, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of Syrian affairs Sergei Vershinin contacted United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the two sides discussed Syria’s prospects for a political settlement, the situation on the ground and the issue of humanitarian aid. The talks came on the eve of a regular UN Security Council session on Syria.

The Russian move carried several messages to the Syrian government and to Turkey, as state media quoted Russian air force officers saying that Moscow had begun operating military helicopters in areas where Turkey launched operations in Idlib.

Putin is insisting that Assad show more flexibility in talks with the Syrian opposition on a political settlement to end the nearly decade-long conflict, said four people familiar with Kremlin deliberations on the matter according to Bloomberg.

“The Kremlin needs to get rid of the Syrian headache,” said Alexander Shumilin, a former Russian diplomat who runs the state-financed Europe-Middle East Center in Moscow.

“The problem is with one person -- Assad -- and his entourage.”

Putin’s irritation and Assad’s obduracy highlight Russia’s dilemma because both sides know there’s no alternative to the Syrian leader in reaching a deal.

While Putin used his successful 2015 intervention in Syria to restore Russia’s Soviet-era influence as a major player in the Middle East, Assad has maneuvered between Moscow and his other main military backer, Iran, to retain his grip on power.

Assad has also leveraged Russia’s military and diplomatic strength against Turkey’s efforts to expand its presence in remaining rebel-held areas of northern Syria as he seeks to regain control over the whole country with Putin’s support.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Putin is unhappy with Assad for refusing to compromise with Syria’s opposition in negotiating a political settlement.

Russia has pressured Assad behind the scenes for several years, without success, to agree to at least some token political concessions to win United Nations endorsement of his expected re-election in 2021. The openly voiced criticism of its ally marked a sharp change of approach.

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Military Forces Amass in Western Libya for Possible Confrontation with Haftar's LNA

LNA forces are seen headed to the southwestern region. (Screengrab from a video released by the infantry command)
LNA forces are seen headed to the southwestern region. (Screengrab from a video released by the infantry command)
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Military Forces Amass in Western Libya for Possible Confrontation with Haftar's LNA

LNA forces are seen headed to the southwestern region. (Screengrab from a video released by the infantry command)
LNA forces are seen headed to the southwestern region. (Screengrab from a video released by the infantry command)

The military continued to amass its forces in western Libya ahead of a possible clash with the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar.

The LNA has been moving forces to the southwest to “secure the borders and bolster national security,” it said.

Despite the assurances, all security and military forces in the west are on alert over the LNA’s mobilization. Military preparations have been reported in Misrata and Zawiya in anticipation of a possible clash with Haftar’s forces.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said on Friday it was monitoring “with concern the recent mobilization of forces in various parts of Libya, particularly in the southern and western regions.”

In a statement, it said: “We commend ongoing efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further tension.”

“The UNSMIL urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any provocative military actions that could be perceived as offensive and might jeopardize Libya’s fragile stability and the safety of its people. The Mission calls for continued communication and coordination between forces affiliated to the LNA and Government of National Unity (GNU),” it added.

“The Mission regrets that these developments coincide with the 84th anniversary of the foundation of Libya’s army and recalls the current division of this vital institution,” it noted.

“On this occasion, the Mission reminds all military and security actors of the importance of a unified, accountable, and professional military and security institutions. The Mission stands ready to facilitate dialogue towards that end and provide all technical expertise and support,” it went on to say.

Meanwhile, head of the Presidential Council Mohammed al-Menfi held talks in Tripoli on Thursday with some representatives of security forces in the western region.

His office said they expressed their “support for all of his further steps that aim to achieve stability in the western region.”

The GNU-aligned army command, Joint Operations Command and National Agency for Supporting Forces announced that they have raised the readiness of their forces in anticipation of “any danger”.

In an attempt to ease tensions, the LNA said its forces were mobilizing to secure the southern borders by intensifying desert patrols and monitoring the border.

The mobilization is at the order of Haftar as part of attempts to bolster border security and confront any threats that may target the safety and security of the nation, said the LNA command.

It added that forces have been dispatched to the cities of Sabha, Ghat, Ubari, Murzuq, al-Qatrun, Brak, al-Shati and Adiri where LNA forces are already deployed.

It stressed that the mobilization was ordered given the tensions in neighboring countries and the activity of extremist groups.

The High Council of State expressed its rejection of the “illegal” mobilization, saying it was a “blatant attempt to expand influence and control in a strategically vital region with neighboring countries.”

It warned that the mobilization may lead to armed conflict that undermines the ceasefire and efforts to unify the army, leading to the collapse of the political process.

It called on the Presidential Council, in its capacity as high commander of the army, “to raise the alert level of forces and prepare to confront any possible danger.”

It also urged the UNSMIL and international community to take a clear stance and condemn the mobilization.

Observers said Haftar was seeking through the mobilization to expand the LNA’s control over vital regions close to the Tunisian-Algerian border, including Ghadames airport.

They did not rule out the possibility of the eruption of clashes in the region in the coming days between the LNA and GNU forces.

Every side is trying to consolidate its forces through military allies in the region in order to seize control of Ghadames and its airport ahead of opening a new border-crossing that grants access to Africa, they noted.