Russian Tanks, Artillery Massing Near Syrian Airfield, US Officials Tell Reuters

"While the build up of Russian military forces in Syria has hardly been unexpected or a surprise, as it is a repeat of what happened in the summer of 2013 when in response to foreign provocations the Assad regime was once again on the edge of collapse and only Russian intervention prevented the fall of Syria to 'western' forces, the question has emerged in the past week: just how much of the military build up is real and verifiable, and how much is a function of the western media euphoria now intent on scapegoating the upcoming land invasion into Syria by US-supported al Nusra (and ISIS) forces as a retaliation for Russian military build up which in itself is a reaction to the now-confirmed western strategy to oust Assad.
In many this is a mirror image of the recent debate: is Russia retaliation to the NATO build up on its borders, or is NATO amassing forces on the Russian border to deter Russian expansion. The answer naturally depends on one's bias and no amount of proof or factual evidence can sway opinion one way or another.
The latest report from Reuters is precisely such an example: in it we read that "Russia has positioned about a half dozen tanks at a Syrian airfield where it has been steadily building up defenses." The sources of this material escalation: two U.S. officials...  speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter. Just like the "sources" on all Greek developments over the past 5 years.
Reuters also notes that "one of the U.S. officials said seven Russian T-90 tanks were seen at the airfield near Latakia, a stronghold of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The two U.S. officials said Russia had also positioned artillery there" adding that "the two U.S. officials said Russia had also positioned artillery, which they said appeared."

at http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-14/russian-tanks-artillery-massing-near-syrian-airfield-us-officials-tell-reuters