THE apocalyptic reality of modern war pans out before the camera of a Russian drone surveying the devastation done to Syria’s capital, Damascus.
It’s easy to see why so many are fleeing the country.
The pro-Moscow internet news service Russia Insider has published what it says is footage of the battle raging between the Syrian army and US-and-Australian backed rebels in the Damascus suburb of Jobar.
The drone-sourced footage is vivid.
Devastation in Damascus
Brown dust clouds rise from repeated explosions. The city — or what remains of it — is equally dusty.
What were once high-rise buildings loom like shattered fossils out of the gloom.
Among it all can be seen tiny human figures, scurrying among the debris.
Then there are tanks. And more explosions.
It’s the outcome of almost five years of civil war.
The footage has emerged today after Russia put boots on the ground late last month by reinforcing pro President Assad Syrian troops with men and equipment, as well as establishing an base for air strikes against Islamic State and Us-backed anti-Assad rebels.
It’s added a new source of tension — and potential conflict — to the war-wracked region.
The US and Russia have today signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes measures so their pilots steer clear of each other as they conduct separate bombing campaigns in Syria.
It’s a step that follows several instances in which Russian and US planes or drones have come close to each other, raising the nightmare prospect of a midair collision or some other deadly clash.
On one occasion, a coalition plane had to scrap a bombing run because Russian planes suddenly appeared in the area.
Speaking to reporters in the Pentagon, press secretary Peter Cook said the document had been signed earlier in the day and had taken effect immediately.
“There’s a series of protocols in place that effectively are intended to avoid any sort of risk of a midair incident between our aircrews and Russian aircrews,” Cook said.
“If they follow these protocols, we should not have the risk of engagement with Russian aircrews over Syria.”
The United States is leading a 60-plus member coalition, including Australia, targeting Islamic State jihadists in Iraq and Syria and has been carrying out frequent raids for more than a year.
Russia also claims to be targeting IS and other “terrorists,” but the Pentagon says it is hitting non-IS rebels fighting forces loyal to Syria’s President Assad.
Syria’s war has killed more than 250,000 people and forced millions from their homes since March 2011, recently sparking a mass migration of refugees that has raised tensions in Europe
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