MESOP FLASH : RUSSIA-REGIME $1 BILLION POWER PLANT TALKS SHOW URGENCY OF SYRIAN MILITARY’S FIGHT EAST OF DAMASCUS
A brief announcement on Syrian State media, about Russian-regime talks over construction of a power plant, have pointed to the urgency of the Syrian military’s fight against both rebels and the Islamic State east of Damascus.
State news agency SANA said consultations are underway with Russia’s Inter RAO Company over a $1 billion project to build the Tishreen 3 Thermal Plant, east of Damascus. Last July, Russia’s Kommersant daily said Damascus had asked for Russian investment. A source at the company in Moscow told reporters on Monday that talks have not been completed. The Syrian military has tried to break through rebel lines in Tishreen but has been unsuccessful. The Islamic State also has a presence in the area, clashing with both regime and rebel forces (see map).