Lavrov: Russia Supports the Syrian Army Because It Is the Most Capable Force to Confront Terrorism

MOSCOW, (ST)- Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has stressed that Moscow supports the Syrian army because it is the most capable force to confront terrorism.”

In a press conference on Thursday, Lavrov said the presence of Russian military servicemen in Syria is tied to the deliveries of weapons to the Syrian government army, Sputnik International reported.

 “There are Russian military personnel in Syria; they have been there for several years. Their presence is tied to the deliveries of arms for the Syrian Army that is taking the brunt in the fight against terrorism from the [Islamic State] and other extremist groups, so Russian military personnel are there in order to help the Syrians master the equipment and prepare it for use in the anti-terrorist fight,” Lavrov clarified.

Peskov: Syrian army is the only force capable of confronting ISIL

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is providing aid to the Syrian army because it believes this is the only force capable of confronting the so-called “Islamic State” (ISIL).

Hamda Mustafa