Russia began modernizing Syrian Army 2 years ago: Assad

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is completely dependent on Russian weapons, and that it will be modernized in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Assad told Russia’s Sputnik Agency on Thursday: “Two years ago, we began implementing a plan to modernize our army, and it is clear that we will do this modernization in cooperation with the Russian Ministry of Defense, because our army for several decades has been completely dependent on Russian weapons.”

The Syrian President commented on a question about whether Syria is interested in acquiring the S-300 and S-400 systems, saying that it may not necessarily be related to missiles, as there may be other priorities for military-technical cooperation in relation to the “on the ground” conflict.

He continued, “We have priorities, we are not necessarily talking about missiles. There may be other priorities at the present time regarding the conflict on the ground. We have a complete plan, but we must act according to the priorities.”

He pointed out that Damascus usually does not talk about the details of its military plans, but it is generally a matter of modernizing the Syrian Army in all respects.

Russian Cargo ship moves tanks en route to Syria – PHOTOS

Russia’s #Syria campaign continues: #ВМФ Project 1171 #ЧФ BlackSea Fleet 197th Landing Ship Brigade Tapir (NATO:Alligator) class tank/APC carrying LST Saratov 150 transited Bosphorus towards Med en route to Russian naval base in #Tartus (formerly 720th Logistics Support Point). pic.twitter.com/Z5d1OOGAGk

— Yörük Işık (@YorukIsik) July 5, 2020

The Russian Ministry of Defense is continuing its military equipment deliveries to the Damascus forces of the Syrian Arab Army as another cargo ship was photographed transiting the Bosphorus Strait between the Mediterranean and Black seas.

Maritime observer Yoruk Isik said the LST Saratov 150 of the Black Sea Fleet was seen transiting the Bosphorus Strait, en route to the Syrian port-city of Tartous.


As pointed out by Isik above, the Saratov 150 specializes in transporting armored vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers (APC).

Turkish military’s attack on the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) equipment since early March of this year necessitated the Russia's delivery of tanks and other armoured vehicles to Damascus troops. 

 
According to AMN, during the Turkish military attack, several soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces (NDF) were killed, while tens of armoured and technical vehicles were destroyed by the barrage.

Since the attack, however, the Russian Ministry of Defense has increased its cargo shipments to Syria, as this is the third time this year that Moscow has shipped tanks and other armored vehicles to the Arab Republic.

Russia usually amplifies these deliveries to Syria when they are planning a new offensive; this is especially true, given the Syrian Army’s buildup around the Jabal Al-Zawiya region of southern Idlib.

Syrian President al-Assad grants amnesty to 50 prisoners in Daraa

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has granted amnesty to 50 prisoners in Daraa based on requests previously submitted by citizens to the operational group of the reconciliation center.

The 50 people were released under a presidential amnesty in the city of Daraa.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

The Center for Reconciliation between the Warring Parties in Syria, affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defense, announced that 50 people have been released under a presidential amnesty in the city of Daraa.

“Thanks to the work of the first administration of the reconciliation center in Daraa, and under the guidance of President Bashar al-Assad, 50 people were released from prison based on requests previously submitted by citizens to the operational group of the reconciliation center. … in Daraa,” the center said, as quoted by Russia’s Sputnik News Agency.

The center pointed out that none of the citizens who received the amnesty were subject to criminal provisions.

They said, “A temporary command center was opened on May 16, 2020 in Daraa, headed by the deputy head of the Russian Center for Reconciliation between the Warring Parties and Monitoring the Movement of Refugees and Displaced Persons in Syria.”

“So far, nearly 4,000 requests for citizens have already been considered. Reconstruction has been done. A number of villages, and the organization of regular humanitarian operations,” they added.

The Daraa Governorate has recently witnessed a number of protests over the arrests of former rebel fighters, which has prompted the Russian Reconciliation Center to mediate between the demonstrators and government.