Syria Operation Proves Russia's Credibility in Anti-Terror Fight-

Russian operation in Syria has led to tightening the grip on the terrorist groups and contributed to preventing as much as possible the spread of terrorism into other countries, according to a Syrian Foreign Ministry source.

ALEPPO (Sputnik) — The Russian Aerospace Forces' operation in Syria proved Moscow's seriousness in the fight against terrorism and helped in preventing its spread in the region, local media reported citing a Syrian Foreign Ministry source.

The source told SANA news agency that the Russian operation in Syria has led to tightening the grip on the terrorist groups and contributed to preventing as much as possible the spread of terrorism into other countries.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with opposition factions and Islamist terrorist groups such as Daesh and the Nusra Front, now known as Jabhat Fateh al Sham, both outlawed in Russia, fighting the Syrian Army.

Russia has been conducting an aerial campaign against terrorists in Syria since September 30, 2015 at Syrian President Bashar Assad's request.

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a decision to withdraw a major bulk of the Russian forces following what he believes to be successful fulfillment of their tasks in Syria. At the same time, Russia did not abandon its obligations to provide the Syrian government with weapons and military equipment, train military specialists. Hmeimim air base and a naval facility in the port of Tartus remain operational while Russia's S-400 and Pantsir air defense systems continue to be on duty in Syria to protect Russian servicemen in the war-torn country.