Escalating situation in Syria

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ATO is apparently taking the new Russian thrust into Syria and its daily bombardment of targets that are not associated with Daesh seriously.

It, therefore started to shore up its flanks in the Middle East and Europe, especially after a Russian war plane penetrated Turkish airspace a few days ago.

NATO is looking at Russia’s flexing of muscles in the region as an attempt not only to test the credibility of the treaty organisation’s bedrock principle of collective security but also to establish a foothold in the region.

According to NATO sources, the violation of Turkish airspace was no accident, but a deliberate attempt to provoke the US and its allies.

This Russian escalation is particularly alarming to the Western alliance, as Turkey is a key part of NATO.

Russian warships in the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean have joined the fray by firing rockets at targets in Syria.

For the moment, though, there is very little the West can do to counter the Russian acts many perceive as threats.

So far, Washington’s reaction, and that of its allies, has been muted, but that can change if Moscow continues to test the will of the West.

With the war in Syria now broadening, seemingly pitting superpowers against each other, it is time for the UN Security Council to intervene, lest the tension escalate and become a military confrontation between Moscow and Washington.

Holding a UN Security Council emergency meeting on Syria is now overdue.

A determined effort needs to be made to hold such a meeting on the fast deteriorating situation in Syria as soon as possible.