Russian Military Presence in Syria is Not Only Useful but Also Necessary, Says Syrian Foreign Minister

The Russian military presence in Syria is not only useful but also necessary, stated Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“We have achieved common victories in the fight against terrorism. This does not mean that it has come to an end, as the U.S. continues to encourage the activities of terrorist organizations to justify its presence in the region. The fight against terrorism is being conducted through various means and methods,” Mekdad said.

The armed conflict in Syria has been ongoing since 2011. In late 2017, victory over the Islamic State group was declared in Syria and Iraq. Efforts to cleanse certain areas of those countries from militants are still ongoing.