Reuters news agency, quoting unidentified Lebanese sources, reports Russian troops have begun military operations in Syria in support of Bashar Assad’s government forces. <br /><br /> Officials in the United States, which opposes Assad, have said in recent days they suspected Russia is boosting aid to Syria. <br /><br /> Washington has been pressuring countries in the region to deny their airspace to Russian flights. <br /><br /> NATO is also worried.<br /><br /> “I am concerned about reports about the increased Russian military presence in Syria,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. “That will not contribute to solving the conflict. I think it is important to now support all efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. <br /><br /> Russia is a long time ally of Syria and confirmed it had “experts” on the ground there. <br /><br /> “Our country has long been supplying arms and military equipment to Syria in accordance with bilateral contracts,” explained Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. “There a
