Syrian Students in Spain Rally Supporting Russian Anti-ISIL Operation

The National Union of Syrian Students (NUSS) held rally in support of the Russian airstrikes against the Islamic State militant group in Syria, SANA news agency reported Monday.

MOSCOW(Sputnik) — According to the news outlet, the rally took place on Sunday. The head of the NUSS in Barcelona reportedly expressed gratitude to the Russian authorities and people for their political and military support and effort to preserve Syria's integrity.

Manuel Serkis, a member of the Committee of the Syrian Expatriates in Europe, who participated in the rally noted that terrorist organizations in Syria had suffered losses as a result of the Russian assistance in the country, according to the agency.

On September 30, Russia began precision airstrikes against ISIL militant group positions in Syria at the request of President Bashar Assad.

Since the beginning of the aerial campaign, Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out 934 sorties, destroying 819 terrorist positions. Hundreds of militants have been killed, dozens of command centers and depots destroyed.

According to the Russian General Staff, militants have already begun a retreat due to the Russian aviation airstrikes, having lost much of their weaponry and equipment on the contact line with Syrian troops.

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the time frame for Russia’s campaign in Syria would be limited to that of the Syrian army’s ground offensive. The Russian leader ruled out the participation of Russian armed forces in a ground operation in Syria.