Iraq Anti-Daesh Efforts Benefit From Russia's Counterterror Attacks

The Russian Aerospace Forces’ activity in Iraq, anti-Daesh operation, in particular, positively influences fight against terrorism, Iraqi President Fuad Masum said.

CAIRO (Sputnik) – The Russian Aerospace Forces’ operation in Syria against the Islamic State (IS) group, banned in Russia, has a positive influence on counterterrorism fight in Iraq, Iraqi President Fuad Masum said.

"Any [strikes] in every spot, even in Morocco, in Africa, if they’re carried out against Daesh [IS], we benefit from it," Masum told RIA Novosti, when asked how the Russian air campaign influenced the fight against IS in Iraq.

The IS poses threat only by the group’s forces in Syria and Iraq, but also those in other states, according to the president.

"We have the example of France, as well as of what happened in other places," Masum said.

The Islamic State militant group has taken over large areas of Syria and Iraq.

The Russian Aerospace Forces began launching anti-IS precision airstrikes in Syria on September 30, following a request from President Bashar Assad.

Meanwhile, the United States has been carrying out a separate campaign against the group in Syria and Iraq, leading a coalition of over 60 countries.