Russia’s Big Guns Reach Syria’s Front Lines

Paul Richard Huard, Robert Beckhusen

Security, Middle East

"It could be a sign that Russia is dedicated to a conventional ground war—not just air strikes."

The Russian army is literally bringing its big guns to the war in Syria. U.S. military analysts said the decision to add artillery to the battlefield indicates a number of key developments, including the Kremlin’s growing influence in planning and executing Syrian military operations.

It could be a sign that Russia is dedicated to a conventional ground war—not just air strikes—in support of Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad, a staunch ally long supported by Moscow.

Since at least October, Russia fielded heavy artillery units near the cities of Homs and Hama, pounding targets there, according to a top U.S. State Department official. However, most of Russia’s firepower was at Latakia air base in western Syria until recently.

The Russian decision to move artillery to the front lines is a newer development. Officially, Moscow denies that it has ground forces engaged in military operations in Syria.

There’s certainly Russian influence within the Syrian army . . . and lots of guns.

Gen. Ali Ayoub, the Syrian army’s chief of staff, made a brief televised statement last month declaring the launch of a broad ground offensive that would be coordinated with Russia’s air campaign. He said the attack would include newly formed ground units including a “4th Assault Corps.”

In an article in OE Watch, a magazine published by the U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Studies Office, analysts noted that pro-Assad media quickly hailed the new strategy.

The article quoted the pro-Hezbollah Al Hadath News. “The (Syrian) forward forces are supported by mortar cover and artillery regiments behind the support lines, as well as aerial cover from the Russian Sukhois,” Al Hadathstated.

“The Syrian army surge is proof of a new tactical military model, spiced with Russian flavors and led by the Sukhois from above, and which also includes greater use of artillery batteries,” the article continued.