Russian ground forces in Syria needed to protect airbases, says admiral

MOSCOW, September 30. /TASS/. Russian ground forces in Syria will be needed to protect Russian airbases used in an operation of the Russian Air Force against Islamic State in that country, the chairman of the Russian State Duma’s defence committee said on Wednesday. "Of course, some ground troops will be necessary. Not to conduct an offensive or a combat operation, but to protect our sites where aircraft, our councilors, etc. are stationed," Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov told Tass. In reply to the question whether it would be necessary to send warships, the admiral said "a naval group is already deployed there on a permanent basis". "As far as I am informed, the Moskva [guided missile] cruiser is already there, and a Chinese aircraft carrier has arrived," he noted. According to him, "enough forces are concentrated there to support air and ground operations". Earlier on Wednesday, the Federation Council upper house of Russian parliament granted permission to the Russian president to use the Russian Armed Forces in Syria. "The Federation Council unanimously supported the president’s request with 162 votes in favor [of granting permission]," Russian presidential administration chief Sergei Ivanov said. Russia would use only its Air Force in Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) at Syrian President Bashar Assad’s request, he said. According to him, Assad "has requested military assistance from our country’s leadership."