US: Russian action in Syria could increase refugee flows

US Secretary of State John Kerry showed his concern in September 2015 over a possible Russian military intervention in the Syrian conflict.

US authorities had reportedly detected 'preparatory steps' including the transport of prefabricated housing units for hundreds of people to a Syrian airfield, which could signal that Russia is readying deployment of heavy military assets there.

Related features (see related url hyperlinks below) discuss Russia's policies towards Syria and its support for the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov had called ISIS ‘the primary threat’ to Russia in the region.

Russia will continue delivering military equipment to Syria to provide it with the needed defence capabilities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on the 11 September 2015.

• Primary Source

The Guardian, 06.09.15: Russia remains ally but won't confirm military advance, Syrian officials say http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/06/russia-remains-loyal-syria-ally

BBC News, 05.09.15: Syria crisis: US concern over Russia 'military build-up' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34166623

BBC News, 02.09.15: Syria conflict: How far is Russia prepared to bolster Assad? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34131573

The New York Times, 05.09.15: U.S. Warns Russia Over Military Support for Assad http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/us/politics/john-kerry-russia-syria.html

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 08.09.15: A Russian Intervention in Syria? http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=61218

EurActiv, 09.08.15: Tensions grow over mysterious Russian flights to Syria http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/tensions-grow-over-mysterious-russian-flights-syria-317461

The Guardian, 09.09.15: Russia complains of 'strange hysteria' over its presence in Syria http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/09/russia-complains-of-strange-hysteria-over-its-presence-in-syria

Sputnik International, 10.09.15: More European Leaders Want Russia, Assad to Help Solve Syrian Crisis http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150910/1026809646/russia-syria-war-assad-isis.html

ESO: Background information: Hollande plans attacks against IS in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/hollande-plans-attacks-against-is-in-syria/

Sputnik International, 09.09.15: Hollande Has ‘No Choice’ But to Support Assad in Fight Against ISIL http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20150909/1026795712.html

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 10.09.15: No Changes in Moscow’s Stance on Syria https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/no-changes-moscow-s-stance-syria

Euro|Topics: Main Focus, 11.09.15: Russian military assistance for Assad http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/archiv_dossier/DOSSIER169629-Russian-military-assistance-for-Assad

Sputnik International, 11.09.15: Russia to Continue Delivering Military Equipment to Syria http://sputniknews.com/world/20150911/1026866198.html

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