Global Geopolitical Series: Syrian war far from over as Russian diplomatic facility in Damascus damaged by shelling

In December, in a surprise visit to Russian military base in Syria, the Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the partial withdrawal of troops from Syria. In his address to military men and women, he said that their mission has been largely accomplished and they would be going back to their fatherland as heroes. Both the United States and Russia claimed that Syria has been freed from the grasp of ISIS and both the countries claimed victory.

However, several incidents since then indicate that the war in Syria is far from over.

• Early January, Russian ministry of defense announced that the Russian military had repelled a massive drone attack on its main airbase in Syria, which was reportedly carried out by militants. The militants launched their assault during the night on Russian Kheimim Airbase in the Syrian Latakia province using 10 unmanned combat aerial vehicles, while three more attempted a strike against the Russian maritime logistics base located in the city of Tartus. According to Russian defense ministry, all of the drones were detected by anti-aircraft defense systems well in advance and seven of them were then successfully shot down by the Russian Panzer-S air-defense system. The Russian radio electronic warfare specialists also managed to override the operating systems of six more drones, and eventually gained control over the drones.
   
• Last month, Turkey launched a massive assault on Syrian soil targeting Syrian Kurds, which Turkey described as terrorists.
   
• Reports are also coming out that the building of Russia’s trade mission in Syria was hit by a 120-mm mortar shell on Tuesday. While no one was hurt the building suffered significant damage. Do note that Damascus is the capital city.
   
• Earlier this week, a Russian SU-23 jet was downed by terrorists using sophisticated anti-air manpad. The pilot was killed during firefights with the terrorists.

The above incidents don’t point to the fact that Syrian war is over.