The terrorist threat persists in Syria's Idlib, in some areas it is intensifying, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said.
"The terrorist threat persists in the Idlib de-escalation zone, in some areas it is even intensifying. We expressed concern about this situation today. Terrorist groups continue to attack Syrian army positions from outside the Idlib de-escalation zone, moreover, they also try to act against the Russian contingent," Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry.
"Therefore, of course, Russia unequivocally confirms the need to implement in full the agreements between presidents Putin and Erdogan to isolate terrorists, first of all, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (banned in Russia) terrorists, whatever new clothes they may try to dress up in, and with the ultimate goal of suppressing these terrorist groups. This is our approach, and the sooner it is done the better," said the head of the Russian MFA.
Idlib is the only region of Syria, a significant part of which remains in the hands of militant groups. In 2017, a northern de-escalation zone was created there, where extremists who refused to lay down their arms in the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta and the southern regions of the country moved. The Turkish army has observation posts in the province, and according to agreements between Putin and Erdogan reached in Moscow on March 5, 2020, the militaries of the two countries conduct joint patrols in Idlib.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Zuma \ TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti