MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the country’s government fighting opposition factions and radical Islamist militants. Russia has been conducting precision airstrikes against ISIL positions in Syria at the request of President Bashar Assad since September 30.
"Unfortunately, there is no one central force [in Syria] that could be cooperated with <…> All difficulties stem from this fact," Peskov said.
He added that Moscow had Assad's consent to support Syrian opposition groups that are countering the ISIL militants.
According to Peskov, Russia is ready to cooperate with all non-terrorist groups in Syria in the fight against the ISIL jihadists and in order to settle the Syrian conflict.
Russia also intends to discuss the fight against terrorism with the United States and Middle East countries, including the Syrian authorities, Kremlin spokesman said.
"This will require, of course, opinion exchange with the legitimate Syrian authorities, President [Bashar] Assad and his representatives <…> The Russian side consistently invites to the dialogue and invites to cooperation the regional [Middle Eastern] states, the United States and the other states participating in this anti-terrorist operation," Peskov said.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with the country’s government fighting against opposition factions and radical Islamists, including the Islamic State militant group.
On September 30, Russia began precision airstrikes at ISIL positions in Syria at the request of Assad.
Since the beginning of the air campaign, the Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out some 930 strikes, killing several hundred militants and destroying dozens of command centers, and depots used by the terrorists.
A US-led coalition of countries has been bombing ISIL positions in Syria since 2014 without the approval of the UN Security Council or Damascus.
