MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Syria's army is capable of defeating terrorists with the help of the Russian Aerospace Forces remaining in the country, Syrian Deputy Defense Minister Mahmoud Shawa said Wednesday.
"Syrian forces are currently engaged in a ground war against the enemies of our country, in cooperation with national militias. We are, of course, capable of taking part in the war and winning together with our Russian friends," Shawa said at a security conference in Moscow.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting against numerous opposition and extremist groups.
Moscow started a military campaign against terrorists in Syria in Autumn last year at President Bashar Assad's request.
On March 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Defense Ministry to withdraw the bulk of the Russian military contingent from Syria.
