Lavrov: Operation against ISIS terrorists in Syria to be completed soon
By Kamila Aliyeva
Military operation in Syria against the Islamic States terrorist group (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) will soon be completed.
This was announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on October 19, RIA Novosti reported.
"The situation in Syria is approaching the final milestone in achieving success in the fight against terrorism," he said during a meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.
Through the efforts of all those who struggle with ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, it is possible to achieve defeat of terrorists, according to Lavrov.
"It seems to me that all this will be completed in the near future," the minister said.
He also noted that Russia supports the activation of the political process to resolve the situation in Syria.
About 92.6 percent of the Syrian territory is released from the militants of ISIS terrorist group, according to the infographic data published in the newspaper of the Russian Defense Ministry.
In addition, over the past week Russian sappers checked more than 210 hectares in the Deir-ez-Zor area and neutralized more than 6,800 explosive items.
At the same time, Russia continues its support of the liberated areas in Syria, delivering 74 tons of humanitarian aid to Aleppo and Damascus in recent months.
The medics from the Russian Defense Ministry’s hospital in the country have also treated over 2,000 patients during the period.
Russian sappers have so far cleared 838 buildings and 87 kilometers of roads in Syria, neutralizing 24,000 mines and improvised explosive devices.
The civil war in Syria between government and opposition forces with various terrorist groups involved, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), began back in March 2011. Syrian President Bashar Assad managed to turn the tide of war in his favor after Russia started an air campaign in September 2015.
According to UN's special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, around 400,000 people have died in the conflict while half the population has been driven from their homes.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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