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Syrian official hails Russia military buildup as "serious step" against terror

Xinhua, October 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

A senior military source said Thursday that the Russian airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria is a "serious step" in the war against terrorism.

"This step will definitely lead to different results than what has been achieved so far," the military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

He said there has been "full coordination on all levels" between the Syrian and Russian sides regarding the latest Russian military actions inside Syria.

"It's a joint action in every sense of the word," the source said.

Russia on Wednesday started airstrikes on what it said were Islamic State (IS) positions in Syria, marking the beginning of its direct military involvement in the war on terrorist groups there.

"Sending Russian air forces to Syria came upon the request of the Syrian state, through a letter sent by President Bashar al-Assad to President Vladimir Putin," state news agency SANA said, citing a statement from the presidential media office in Damascus.

Russia on Thursday confirmed fresh air strikes inside Syria.

The strikes were coupled by intensive reconnaissance flights, sources told Xinhua, saying dozens of terrorists were killed during the strikes.

The attack began just hours following Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, granted President Vladimir Putin approval to send armed forces to Syria, said Russian Presidential Administration Chief Sergei Ivanov.

"The Federation Council unanimously supported the president's request," Tass news agency quoted Ivanov as saying.

"The operation's only goal is to provide air support to Syrian armed forces in their fight against IS," Ivanov said.

He added that the operation has a deadline, and refused to specify the weapon types that will be used.

According to Ivanov, only air forces will be used by Russia in Syria to fight IS militants.

Ivanov said Russia would share operation details with its partners and allies if necessary.

Russia, which has recently increased its military aid to Syria, said the move aims to combat terrorism according to international law. Endit