China prepares to join the fight against ISIS

Russian SU-24M jet fighter takes off from an airbase Hmeimim in Syria. A spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry has rejected claims that Russia in its airstrikes in Syria is targeting civilians or opposition forces. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Al-Masdar Al-Arabi reported that Chinese military advisers are expected to join with their Russian counterparts in weeks. It comes after China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that Chinese and Iraqi foreign ministers agreed to offer intelligence and personal training in September 2014. As China breaks it’s long history of non-interference, due to the threats that ISIS pose on China and its economy.

“China has been fighting terrorism and has been providing support and assistance to Iraq, including the Kurdish region, in our own way, and will continue to do so within the best of our capabilities,” Hong explained. As China has shown solidarity with Syria, joining Russia vetoeing UN proposals against Bashar al-Asaad.

According to some media reports, “the main goal of the center will be gathering, processing and analyzing current information about the situation in the Middle East – primarily for fighting ISIS.” With Iraqi army’s confirming their participation, and China sending military advisers as well.

Recently Russia has been deploying an attack after another on “logistical infrastructure, command posts, training camps and bases” belonging to ISIS jihadists.

Previously their attacks included strikes in the region around Deir Ezzor, their jets dropped bunker-busting bombs to destroy two ISIS command posts, hitting ISIS fighters and a weapons plant in the Ghuta region in the Damascus province. According to reports by france 24, the deployed attack in Idlib province reportedly hit three field camps, including one that intercepted radio traffic suggested was holding foreign fighters, and in the coastal Latakia province, the strikes purportedly hit a fortified IS base setting off wider explosions.

Russia last week launched airstrikes in Syria at the request of its long-standing ally President Bashar al-Assad.

Moscow says it is targeting the ISIS but US and Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar fear the Russian intervention is aimed at bolstering Assad’s regime, and keeps urging Russia to focus their efforts on ISIS alone. While Egypt expressed how it welcomes the Russian campaign as a measure to fight jihadist groups like ISIS.

Of course the clashing relations have a role in gaining the support of one country or another, as Egypt has been working on strengthening its relations with Russia, while Saudi Arabia is more dependent on US’s support.