Russia: Goal of defeating ISIL in Syria 'accomplished'

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Russia's defense ministry has said its mission to remove ISIL from Syria had been "accomplished" and the country has been "completely liberated" from the extremist group.

"The Russian armed forces' goal to defeat armed groups of the ISIL terrorist organization in Syria has been accomplished," said senior military officer Sergei Rudskoi.

"There is not a single village or district in Syria under the control of ISIL. The territory of Syria has been completely liberated from fighters of this terrorist organization."

A Russian solider looks on near Syrian fighters and villagers as a Russian military convoy arrives in Kaoukab a small village near the city of Hama. /AFP Photo

There has been an "unprecedented" involvement by Russia's air force in recent days, he said, with warplanes making 100 flights and staging up to 250 strikes daily.

At the same time, Special Forces were active on the ground directing planes and "destroying the most odious leaders of militant groups behind enemy lines," he said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict, said Thursday that ISIL still holds about eight per cent of Deir Ezzor province.

Rudskoi said "separate sabotage bands of ISIL" could still be operating but would be fought by Syrian government troops, indicating that Russia's involvement would be scaled down.

A Hezbollah fighter stands at a watch tower at Juroud Arsal, the Syria-Lebanon border, July 29, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"With the liquidation of armed bands of the ISIL terrorist group in Syria, the Russian contingent will concentrate its main efforts on providing aid to the Syrian people in rebuilding peace" and ensuring ceasefire commitments were met, he said.

Russia began its bombing raids in September 2015 in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government forces.

Those strikes have helped the government regain control over much of war-ravaged Syria.

Last month, President Vladimir Putin said efforts to end the war were entering a "new stage" as the focus shifts from military intervention to political reform.

Source(s): AFP