Sputnik/ Grigoriy Sisoev
The active phase of Russia’s military operation in Syria is coming to an end, Russia’s Chief of General Staff and First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov said on Monday.
Gerasimov participated in the trilateral meeting with the Chiefs of General Staff of Turkey and Iran, Hulusi Akar and Mohammad Bagheri.
“The active phase of the military operation in Syria is nearing end. Although some issues are yet to be solved, this stage is coming to its logic end,” he said adding the countries’ joint efforts helped to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, stop the civil war and create conditions to restore peace.
“Thanks to our joint efforts, terrorists are being wiped out from the Al-Bukamal area in eastern Syria and the Syrian-Iranian border will soon be taken under control,” Gerasimov said. “Completely eradicating militant groups, which is only a matter of time, will allow us to move to the post-conflict settlement. But before we do that, we need to secure the previously achieved military gains to prevent terrorists from returning to Syria.”
