Russia can help defeat the IS
Updated: 2015-10-08 07:38
(China Daily)
|
||||||||
A frame grab taken from footage released by Russia's Defence Ministry October 5, 2015, shows smoke rising after airstrikes carried out by the country's air force in Syria.[Photo/Agencies] |
Russia has been carrying out airstrikes against terrorist targets in Syria since Sept 30. Its direct military involvement in the country could be a game-changer for efforts to combat the Islamic State terrorist group.
The necessity to fight the IS group and the request for assistance from Syrian President Bashar Assad have given Russia's actions legitimacy and won it approval from the international community. And the initial results from Russia's airstrikes are impressive: Russian aircraft have performed over 80 missions destroying around 50 terrorist facilities.
Russia's involvement is a direct response to the ineffectiveness of the US-led international coalition which has been bombing IS targets in Syria and Iraq for more than a year.
Yet, due to the distrust between Russia and the West, and Russia's close ties with the Assad government, Moscow's decision to intervene in Syria has been met with widespread skepticism and criticism from the West. The day after Russia's military operations began, the White House called the Russian air strikes in Syria "indiscriminate" and said they risk prolonging the sectarian conflict in the country.
On Monday, NATO called on Russia to immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians, and to focus its efforts on fighting the IS group.
Unless Moscow can convince the US-led West that it is helping fight the IS group rather than helping Assad combat the rebel Syrian forces, distrust between the two sides will only deepen.
Whether Russia and the US-led international coalition can better coordinate their moves and cooperate against the IS group is also a question that needs to be answered.
With Moscow and Washington showing growing interests this week to coordinate their moves in Syria, it is hoped the fall of the IS will come sooner rather than later.
- Russian warplanes hit IS targets in Syria
- Senior US envoy to visit Japan, S Korea, China
- Russia, US agree to cooperate in solving Syria crisis: Russian FM
- Iranian President calls Iran deal victory over war
- LatAm experts praise Xi on yuan, globalization
- Evidence found of summertime water flows on Mars: study
- Rising yuan use may lift IMF basket prospects
- China wins first Nobel in medicine
- Gary Locke: Candor key to relations
- Saving Chinese folk songs
- Candlelight vigil for Oregon shooting victims
- Chinese people's pursuits in different eras
- Ten highlights from Xi's trip to US and UN
- Top 10 life-changing benefits from Xi's US visit
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
Xi pledges $2 billion to help developing countries
Young people from US look forward to Xi's state visit: Survey
US to accept more refugees than planned
Li calls on State-owned firms to tap more global markets
Apple's iOS App Store suffers first major attack
Japan enacts new security laws to overturn postwar pacifism
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |