ince the Syrian Civil War began in 2011 between President Bashar al-Assad‘s government and rebels, Russia has played a strategic role in the resolving of the crisis on the world stage.

In a historical context, the two countries have shared a close relationship, as Syria is one of Russia’s closest Middle Eastern allies. In 1956 Syria followed Egypt in acquiring arms from theSoviet Union, and the Suez War accelerated a multiplication of ties between Syria and the Soviet Union—ties closely associated with the increase in power and influence of the Ba’ath Party.^[1]

Russia has denied accusations that it is taking a side in the war or that it has a special relationship with the current Assad government, and has also accused other countries of aiding the rebels.^[2][3] According to Martti Ahtisaari who held discussions about Syria with the five permanent members of the UNSC in 2012, a Russian three-point plan, which included a proposal for Assad to cede power, was ignored by the US, Britain and France, because at the time they thought that Assad’s regime was about to fall.^[4]

On 30 September 2015, the Russia’s Federation Council approved the use of Russian military in Syria to fight terrorist groups, the Islamic State in particular, at a request from the Syrian President Bashar Assad.^{[5]  _source}