KUALA LUMPUR, 4 November. The duration of operation of the Air-comic forces (VKS) Russia is limited by the timing of the Syrian army offensive against the terrorists. This was stated by Deputy defense Minister Anatoly Antonov in his speech at the 3rd Meeting of defense Ministers of member countries of ASEAN and dialog partners (“SMPA-plus”).
He recalled that the shock of the Russian space forces with attraction of the ships of the Caspian flotilla on the positions of militants of the banned in Russia terrorist organizations “Islamic state” and “dzhebhat EN-Nusra” fully consistent with international law and absolutely legitimate. The operation is carried out on the basis of the official address of the President of Syria Bashar al-Assad.
“The operation is limited to the duration of the Syrian forces’ offensive actions against the terrorists,” – said Antonov.
SPECIAL project
From Russia with support
As the aircraft of the Russian Federation helps to fight with terrorists in Syria
Aviation and other means, the Deputy foreign Minister added, are used exclusively by the Russian military on the objects of the terrorist groups in Syria. “Shock is not applied for any other purposes relating, for example, with detachments of the so-called “moderate” opposition,” he said.
Antonov reminded that the Russian aircraft destroyed dozens of command and control, large quantity of military equipment and ammunition warehouses belonging to the militants were also eliminated hundreds of terrorists.
The Deputy Minister stressed that international terrorism is the most serious global threat and “the main front in the fight against this scourge is in the middle East today”.
Russia advocates the establishment of an international anti-terrorist coalition that could unite within its ranks all the States concerned on the basis of international law, guided by the principles of the UN Charter.
In the ranks of militants fighting to 30 thousand foreigners, including from Russia and countries of the Asia-Pacific region (APR), said Antonov.
“Today on the side of ISIL (formerly ISIS – ed.) 25-30 thousand fighting foreign terrorists, including from Asia-Pacific States and, unfortunately, from Russia, – said Antonov. – If they return home carrying the potential of violence and extremism, we will promote the radical ideas in our countries, or sabotage”.
According to him, one of the key joint objectives “SMPA-plus” – to prevent the return of these fighters home.
“It is important that the focus on cooperation in countering the global terrorist threat on the basis of international law was emphasized in the final document that is going to take today”, – said the Deputy Minister.
Antonov noted that “there should be no illusions that what is happening in the middle East somewhere, and that our country can remain unaffected by the terrorist threat directly”.
Chronicle of the conflict in Syria. Dossier
