Destroy any force that threatens Russian military in Syria: Putin
Date
12/11/2015 2:47:10 PM
(MENAFN- Asia Times) Vladimir Putin
He instructed the Russian forces in Syria to coordinate with command posts in Israel and the US-led coalition.
The Russian military operation in Syria is not motivated by geopolitical interests or a desire to test new weapons. It is initiated because Islamic State (IS) directly threatens Russia Putin said.
Any force threatening the Russian military inSyria would be destroyed.
“I instruct you to act extremely rigid. Any target threatening a Russian grouping or our ground infrastructure needs to be immediately destroyed” Putin said.
He said the ministry of defense must coordinate its actions with Israeli command and the US-led anti-IS coalition.
“It is important to enhance cooperation with all the countries which are really interested in eliminating terrorists. I am speaking of the contacts aimed at ensuring safety with Israeli Air Force command posts and with the forces of the anti-Daesh coalition led by the United States” he said.
The Russian Aerospace Force’s actions in Syria are coordinated with Russia’s special services and the Federal Security Service is uncovering terrorist cells hesaid.
‘IS controls 70% of Syria’
Russia’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu said IS has gained control over70% ofSyrian territory.
“Daesh (IS) is spreading: the militants control about70% ofSyrian territory and the majority ofIraq. The number [of terrorists] is close to60000. They might transfer toCentral Asia and the Caucasus” Shoigu said.
The minister added that about60000 terrorists inSyria and Iraq are a threat toCentral Asia.