The aircraft was carrying 84 passengers and eight crew members, including 64 members of Alexandrov Ensemble, “Russian Red Army Choir” singers, dancers and orchestra members. Others identified were nine Russian reporters and military servicemen. President Vladimir Putin has declared 26 December a national day of mourning. Moscow intended to celebrate Christmas and New Years as victory day in Aleppo but turned out to be a day of mourning. In any case, the Christians in Aleppo celebrated Christmas for the first time in five years, after takeover of rebel-held east Aleppo by Russian and Syrian forces under the protection of Russian Air force.
A Russian technical expert disclosed on the condition of anonymity that the possibility of a militant act cannot be n ruled out as the weather was good and there was no technical fault with the aircraft. Russian military investigators are carrying out probe into the crash to ascertain the reasons including act of terrorism, due to which the aircraft crashed. It is important to mention here that the aircraft was destined for Hmeymim in Latakia province; from there that Russia launches air strikes against Syrian rebels. A American analyst of Russian origin highlighted following points, “In the on-going war in Syria no one is sure about friend and foe. Sometimes US extend all out help while on other occasions Washington proves to be bitter critics. We have agreements with US in September 2016 and with Turkey in October 2016. However, both have their own game plan and strategic interests. Nevertheless, both US and Russia are at the same time supporting President Bashar al-Assad as well as some rebels group backed by Iran and Lebanon, who have merged in rebels to locate leadership and their plans.”
It is interesting to note that that war in Syria, which is claimed to be fought for sectarian dominance between Shias and Sunnis, is more than that. Where it is also claimed that Iran is backing President Bashar al-Assad and US is helping Iran to restore Shia dominance in Sunni dominated Syria, there are evidences Tehran and Washington arming and funding rebels against Bashar al Assad. The fact cannot be denied that a struggle for ethnic cleansing of orthodox Sunnis and rapid settlements of Shias and Christians in Aleppo is taking place. A Christian leader in Vatican claimed the restoration of Christian dominance in Aleppo and other ancient cities. Media quoted a Syrian Christian leader commenting on new development as “A new birth for Jesus Christ and a new birth for the city of Aleppo.” Although the last week’s Russia bombardment over Aleppo and senseless killings of rebels and civilian cannot be considered as desirable option but it failed US and allies plans to drag the war for some more years and keep Syria bleeding. Now it is time to enforce Russian-Turkish agreement to bring peace in Syria and extend humanitarian aid to the displaced people. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
