General Kurylenko Renews Russia’s Support for Syria in the Fight against Terrorism

LATTAKIA, (ST)- Representative of the Russian Forces working in Syria, Lieutenant-General Sergey Kurylenko on Thursday renewed his country’s support for Syria in the fight to eliminate terrorism and in efforts to achieve national reconciliation in the country.

“Russia has always supported Syria, this is the reason why Moscow accepted Damascus’ request to assist in the elimination of terrorists,” said General Kurylenko, pointing out that the terrorists’ acts have destroyed the Syrian  industrial and social infrastructure as well as cultural heritage and that threatened the existence of the Syrian state and forced millions of civilians to leave their homes.

He went on to say that that foreign forces have benefited from political contradictions and problems in the region to impose war on Syria; a war that led terrorists of ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra to control wide areas in the country. He noted the acknowledgment of many political opposition figures of the need to stop combat operations and find political ways to solve the crisis.

He clarified that Russia, Iran and Turkey have played the mediator role between the Syrian government and the opposition and they organized Astana talks in which an agreement on establishing four de-escalation zones in Syria was reached. Three of them have already been established and efforts are being made to set up another de-escalation zone in Idlib.

The Russian general pointed out that military activities had ended in the Syrian de-escalation zones, where people had been receiving humanitarian aid, while work had begun to repair roads, water supply facilities and energy facilities. Conditions are being created there for refugees to return to their homes. “In order to prevent terrorists’ provocations and control the ceasefire, Russia’s military police have established observation points around the de-escalation zones. Together with our Turkish and Iranian partners, we have been making efforts to set up another de-escalation zone in the Idlib Governorate,” he added, according to Itar Tass.

He said that “dialogue between the government and the opposition within the framework of the de-escalation zones agreement has enhanced the hope of the Syrian people in ending violence in Syria.”

The Russian General added that the coming era in Syria will witness national reconciliation through the return of local authority’s bodies in the cities and towns which are within the de-escalation zones.

He concluded by urging the Syrians to join forces in the fight against terrorists to restore peace.     

“I appeal to all Syrians who want to liberate their country from terrorists, restore peace and harmony in the country. Only your joint efforts will help to stop the war and restore the long-awaited peace,” the General concluded.

Hamda Mustafa