Process of Restoring Peaceful Life in Syria Started: Shoigu
CLARK/Philippines- The so-called “Islamic State” terror group has been driven out of many Syrian towns and areas and the ISIS-controlled area has become very small after the military operation carried out by the Syrian army in cooperation with the Russian Aerospace Forces against this terrorist organization.
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday, as quoted by Itar Tass that “Some 998 towns and areas in Syria have been liberated, and the liberated territory reaches 503,223 square kilometers. Many militants have been killed. The process of restoring peaceful life in the country has started”.
About 2,500 settlements across Syria have signed reconciliation deals thanks to the focused efforts of the Syrian government and the Russian center for reconciliation of warring parties. Since 2015, 1.126 mln people have returned home, including 660,000 this year.
During the two-year-long campaign of Russia’s Aerospace Forces in Syria, “major terrorist formations were destroyed in crucial areas, key settlements were liberated and the siege of major communication lines was broken,” Shoigu told the fourth meeting of defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and dialogue partners.
About 948 terrorists’ training camps, 666 factories and workshops for manufacturing ammunition and 1,500 pieces of military equipment have been eliminated.
More than 200 oil and gas facilities were also wiped out, as well as 184 oil refineries, 126 fuel pumping stations and around 4,000 petrol tank vehicles, according to the defense minister.
Russian deminers clearing 1,500 explosive devices in Syria every day
Russian deminers have been clearing about 1,500 explosive devices in Syria every day, according to Shoigu.
“We have been paying special attention to solving humanitarian problems in Syria,” he said.”We have carried out large-scale demining operations. As many as 96,105 explosive devices have already been cleared with about 1,500 devices being cleared every day,” Shoigu added. “We are also training Syrian domineers. A total of 621 Syrian deminers have already joined mine clearing activities,” the Russian defense minister said.
“I would like to call on the ASEAN member states and dialogue partners to join the humanitarian and restorative mission in Syria. On our behalf, we are ready to provide any necessary assistance,” Shoigu said.
He pointed out that following the agreements reached at the Astana talks, four de-escalation zones had been established on Syria’s territory.
“Today, Syria needs significant humanitarian aid, including food, basic necessities and medicine, as well as assistance in restoring vital infrastructure facilities and demining,” the Russian defense minister stressed.
Russia ready to boost anti-terror cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries
Shoigu also stressed that Moscow is ready to assist the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in preventing the spread of international terrorism, particularly impeding the infiltration of terrorism into the Asia-Pacific countries.
“Russia is ready to provide all the necessary assistance in strengthening the capabilities of the ASEAN member states and dialogue partners in order to effectively counter these threats,” he said.
According to Shoigu, in the seven years that passed since its establishment, the Council of defense ministers of the ASEAN member states and dialogue partners has turned into an effective mechanism for regional military cooperation. “We have good potential for cooperation in fighting international terrorism, ensuring maritime security, humanitarian interaction, emergency management and demining,” he said.
The Russian defense minister said that the joint statement on counter-terrorism, adopted by Russia and ASEAN in August 2017, was an important milestone. “It was the first step towards joint actions aimed at combating the extension of the ISIL’s influence [ISIL is a former name of the Islamic State terror group outlawed in Russia – TASS],” Shoigu said.
H.M