BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:00 P.M.) – Russia is interested in continuing military operations in the Idlib Governorate, the special envoy for the Russian President, Alexander Lavrentyev, said on Wednesday.
“The situation in Idlib is alarming because of the great number of militants, including from Jabhat al-Nusra (a terrorist organization outlawed in Russia) staying there,” he began.
“Turkey has undertaken the task to stabilize the situation there and to prevent possible provocations and attacks on government forces. We hope the situation around Idlib will finally stabilize. It in no way means we are stepping back from the problem. In no way, absolutely,” Lavrentyev continued.
“The war on terrorist groups will be continued,” he stressed.
“The more so as a number of groups, with Russian citizens among their members as well, are finding shelter in Idlib. We will continue the war on them. We don’t want them to come back to Russia, well-trained in combat conditions, to wreak discord and havoc in our territory,” he added.
The Syrian and Russian forces have halted their ground operations in the Idlib Governorate after an agreement was established at the Astana Peace Talks last month.
“We will spare no effort not to let it happen,” he pledged.
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