In Syria there are more than nine thousand militants of the terrorist group “Islamic state” (IG, is prohibited in Russia). This was stated by the head of the Main intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the Ministry of defence of Russia the General-Colonel Igor Korobov. His words “Interfax”.
“Now [they] are concentrated in the Central part of the country and the border with Iraq and Eastern districts of the Republic, mainly along the Euphrates river,” — said Korobov.
According to him, the leaders of ISIS consider the Syrian territory as a springboard for expansion in the countries of the Middle East and other regions of the world in the framework of the implementation of the “great Caliphate.”
As explained Korobov, field commanders tasked by all means keep them trapped areas of the country, especially the oil fields in Eastern Syria, as well as a strategic transport route which is the transfer of fighters and cargo from Iraq to Syria and back.
21 August it was reported that as a result of air strikes of the Russian VKS on a column of militants heading towards the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, destroyed more than 200 terrorists. They also destroyed more than 20 all-terrain vehicles with heavy weapons and mortars, armored vehicles (including tanks) and heavy trucks with ammunition.