Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Related Articles
Kuala Lumpur, SANA- Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov reiterated that the Russian air operation in Syria is being carried out at the request of President Bashar al-Assad, adding that “This operation is limited to the offensive conducted by the Syrian Army against the terrorists.”
Antonov, speaking at the third meeting of the ASEAN countries’ defense chiefs and their dialogue partners in Kuala Lumpur, affirmed that the Russian air force is striking only confirmed terrorist targets, and that there are no strikes being conducted at any other targets, connected to, for example, the forces of the so-called “moderate” opposition.
Earlier on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that the Russian airstrikes in Syria aim primarily at fighting terrorism.
Antonov asserted that Russia’s operation in Syria is fully legitimate and in line with international law.
The Russian warplanes carried out till Tuesday 1,631 sorties and hit 2,084 terrorist targets since the launch of the Russian counter-terrorism operation in Syria, according to chief of the Main Department for Operations at the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Gen Andrey Kartapolov.
R.J/ Barry
