Russian DM Tells Parliament Quick End to Syria Operation Unlikely

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Moscow cannot expect a quick ending to Syrian operation due to new recruits joining terrorist ranks and terrorism not being properly fought on other fronts, according to Russian lawmaker Vladimir Gutenev.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A quick ending to Russia's operation in Syria is unlikely, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russia's lower house of parliament, lawmaker Vladmir Gutenev said Wednesday.

"Sergei Kuzhugetovich [Shoigu] said in his comments that, unfortunately, we cannot expect a quick ending to this operation due to new recruits joining terrorist ranks and terrorism not being properly fought on other fronts," Gutenev told reporters.

The lawmaker added that there was a possibility of terrorists fleeing from Syria to Iraq and Libya, which is why Russia was ready to cooperate with all world powers involved in the fight against extremists, including a US-led coalition.

According to Gutenev, the timeframe of the air campaign in Syria will depend on the West’s degree of cooperation with Russia.

Since September 30, Russia has been conducting an aerial campaign in Syria against the Islamic State (ISIL, or Daesh in Arabic) extremist group, which is outlawed in Russia, following a request from President Bashar Assad.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has regularly ruled out the deployment of Russian ground forces in the anti-Daesh campaign.

The Syrian Armed Forces have hailed the Russian air campaign, saying the airstrikes have inflicted irreparable damage on the terrorists in Syria.