Syria May Ask for Russian Military Presence if Necessary

Syrian Foreign Minister said Syria may ask Moscow to send Russian troops to fight alongside the government forces against terrorist groups.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — The Syrian leadership would ask Moscow to send Russian troops to fight alongside the government forces against terrorist groups in the war-torn country if necessary, Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Thursday.

"Syria will request Russian troops to fight on the side of our forces if such a need arises," Muallem said in an interview with Syrian state television.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with the government of President Bashar Assad fighting against many opposition factions and militant groups, such as ISIL and the Nusra Front.