Russia to end campaign to destroy IS in Syria

(Baonghean.vn) - In the near future, the West bank of the Euphrates River will be completely liberated by the Syrian government army. This means that Russia's campaign to wipe out the remnants of the IS terrorist force in Syria will also end.

Syria is about to be completely liberated from IS terrorists. Photo: TASS

According to the report of the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Syrian government army, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), after liberating the city of Al-Bukemal from terrorist groups, will continue to closely follow, chase and destroy terrorists in the vicinity of the Euphrates Valley and develop attacks along the banks of the Euphrates River.

"As part of the plan, under the advice and military assistance of Russia, the offensive operation of the Syrian government army under the command of General Hassan Suhel within a day and night completely liberated the population of the El-krai area from terrorists" - quoted the report of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Previously, on November 20, during talks at the Kremlin with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed:"The military campaign (in Syria) is really coming to an end."

Russia launched an air campaign against IS in Syria on September 30, 2015, following a call for help from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In March 2017, Russian President Putin ordered Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to begin a gradual withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, but to maintain a military presence at the port of Tartus and the Khmeimim air base.

The West has repeatedly accused Russia of also targeting Syrian opposition forces in an attempt to help the Assad government gain an advantage in the country's civil war.

The war against IS in the Middle East is entering its final days. IS fighters are surrendering or fleeing en masse from the fighting zone while the territories once held by IS are gradually being liberated by the coalition. According to the latest figures provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense, 92% of Syrian territory has now been liberated from terrorists.

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(According to TASS)