There is ‘little evidence’ Syria fighters headed to Ukraine despite Russian recruiting attempt: CENTCOM

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie mentioned there was “little proof” that international fighters had been touring from Syria to Ukraine as Russia appears to ramp up recruitment for its conflict. 

“We see little proof of recruiting in Syria to deliver individuals again to Ukraine,” McKenzie informed reporters Friday. “Not saying it could not occur, and I am not saying that one or two, three or 4 have not gone. However we have not seen the large-scale effort to do this.”

RUSSIA’S PUTIN LOOKS TO IMPORT SYRIAN MERCENARIES TO DO THE ‘DIRTY TRICKS’ AGAINST UKRAINE’S POPULATION

The final’s feedback had been in response to questions on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s reported efforts to have Syrians be a part of the combat in Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, Syrian information web site DeirEzzor24 claimed that Moscow was providing six-month contracts with pay ranging between $200 and $300 a month in a push to extend its pressure posture in Ukraine. 

“We discover noteworthy that Putin believes that he must depend on international fighters to complement what’s a really vital dedication of fight energy inside Ukraine as it’s,” a senior protection official informed reporters earlier this month. “They proceed to be pissed off by a stiff Ukrainian resistance, in addition to their very own inside challenges.”

The final mentioned that regardless of its sluggish progress in Ukraine, the U.S. has not seen any indicators Russia is altering its “pressure stage” in Syria or different elements of the world, together with in Central Asia, the place Russia has a major presence in international locations like Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

“We have now no proof that the Russians are intent on escalating something in Syria,” McKenzie mentioned. However added, “I feel we’re effectively postured for something that might occur, and we’re ready for any eventuality.”

McKenzie, who is ready to retire quickly, touched on different prime points for CENTCOM’s space of duty, which incorporates Northeast Africa, the Center East together with Central and South Asia.

FILE – Syrian troopers maintain up Baath social gathering flags and a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad. With its conflict on Ukraine now in its third week, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, March 11, 2022, accredited bringing in volunteer fighters from the Center East into the battle. 
(AP Photograph/Hassan Ammar, Filec)

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES

“Not a day goes by that I do not take into consideration August of final yr,” he mentioned in reference to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan that led to the dying of 13 U.S. service members on Aug. 26, 2021.

“You return, and also you at all times attempt to discover methods, issues that you could possibly have performed totally different, however I’ll simply let you know this,” he continued, “the battlefield is a dynamic place. It’s not a marketing strategy. It’s a contest of wills. It’s a contest of plans.” 

“We stopped various assaults, we weren’t capable of cease this assault,” he added. “I do not know what we may have performed that will have prevented this specific assault.”

McKenzie drew on the similarities between the conflict in Ukraine and the Taliban’s close to fast push to overthrow the Afghan authorities. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has garnered worldwide reward for his refusal to depart Kyiv as Russian forces proceed to pummel the nation and safety officers warn Putin will look to overthrow him and instate a puppet regime as an alternative. 

Because the Taliban stormed throughout Afghanistan and superior on the capital metropolis of Kabul, former President Ashraf Ghani drew worldwide criticism for his resolution to flee on Aug. 15. The subsequent day Kabul fell to the Taliban.

Russia’s failure to rapidly take over Ukraine, regardless of its sheer measurement and superior armed forces, has left many questioning why the Afghan armed companies weren’t capable of maintain off an rebel group after years of coaching by U.S. forces. 

Ukrainian troopers take positions outdoors a army facility as two vehicles burn, in a avenue in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Russian troops stormed towards Ukraine’s capital Saturday, and avenue preventing broke out as metropolis officers urged residents to take shelter. 
(AP Photograph/Emilio Morenatti)

“You may practice a military, you possibly can equip a military,” McKenzie mentioned. “What you possibly can’t give a military is the preventing spirit of a person soldier.”

“Clearly the Ukrainians have super preventing spirit,” he continued. “They’re defending their properties, they’re defending their nation.”

McKenzie additionally identified that Russian troopers don’t seem “significantly motivated or engaged within the marketing campaign.”

The final mentioned he considered the failure of the Afghan military to oppose the Taliban as “not only a army collapse however actually a nationwide collapse – in the end [they] couldn’t discover the need to face and combat.”

“And I’m nonetheless digesting that,” McKenzie informed reporters. “The collapse of the Afghan authorities was not the end result we desired.”