Russia increases presence in Syria despite warnings
US officials say Russian government is sending ships, aircraft, to Assad's war-torn country; Kerry: Russian involvement could fan flames of violence.
The two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the intent of Russia's military moves in Syria remained unclear.
US officials have not ruled out the possibility that Moscow may be laying the groundwork for an air combat role in Syria's conflict to bolster Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
This theory was backed Wednesday by Russian reports that President Vladimir Putin had gained permission to use Iranian airspace for Russian military aircraft en route to Syria.
The flightpath would be needed by Russian after Bulgaria refused a similar deal.
Assad, a longtime Russian ally, has seen the area he controls whittled down to a fifth or less of Syria's territory after more than four years of grinding civil war.
An official with the Russian defense ministry declined to comment.
US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to his Russian counterpart on Wednesday to express concern over reports of Russian military activities in Syria, warning that it could fan more violence and was unhelpful, a State Department spokesman said.
A traditional arms supplier to Damascus, Moscow has supported Assad throughout the war that has fractured Syria and has said it strongly opposes ISIS, a militant group that is also the target of a US-led air campaign.
One of the US officials said initial indications suggested the focus was on preparing an airfield near the port city of Latakia, a stronghold of Assad.
The officials estimated that dozens of the naval infantry forces had recently arrived at the airfield, possibly to help provide security.
Reuters has previously reported on the transport of prefabricated housing units for hundreds of people to the Syrian airfield. The two officials said additional Russian prefabricated housing units had arrived as well.
The Russian tank landing ships arrived in the past day or so at the port city of Tartus, just south of Latakia, the officials said, without providing information on the cargo. Additional cargo aircraft had also arrived at the airfield near Latakia.
The United States and Russia have long been at loggerheads over Syria. Russia has backed Assad, while the United States advocates a political transition to end his rule.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon said Russian support for Assad risked "further escalating the conflict."
"If there are further efforts to support the Assad regime from a military standpoint on the part of the Russians, we would again see that with concern," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told a news briefing.
Reports of Russia's growing military activity in Syria are also a cause of concern for NATO, its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.
"I am concerned about reports about increased Russian military presence in Syria," Stoltenberg told reporters during a visit to Prague. "That will not contribute to solving the conflict.I think it is important to support all efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria."
