Clearing up misconception of Russia’s role in Syria
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Re: “If Russia is fighting Islamic extremists, why ally with Iran”, Have Your Say, April 12.
JC Wilcox’s latest outpouring makes sense until his last paragraph. The supporters of the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979 are different from today’s Islamic State. The Iranians are Shi’ites, the Islamic State are Sunnis.
In Syria the Iranian Revolutionary Guard are fighting along with the Lebanese Hezbollah as supporters and allies of the Assad regime. Russia considers Hezbollah a legitimate sociopolitical organisation.
Given Mr Wilcox’s comments, I doubt he has ever lived in the Middle East for any length of time, which would explain his lack of knowledge of the religion and politics of the region.
Ian Martin
Bangkok
