Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the complete defeat of the terrorist group “Islamic state” (IG, is prohibited in Russia) on both banks of the Euphrates in Syria. His words are quoted on Wednesday, December 6, RIA Novosti.
“Two hours ago, the defense Minister [Sergei Shoigu] reported that the operations on the Eastern and Western banks of the Euphrates completed the complete defeat of terrorists”, — said the head of state.
According to Putin, the region can still be pockets of resistance. At the same time, overall combat performance at this stage and in this area is completed, he added.
5 December it was reported that the United States considers the liberation of Syria East of the Euphrates from the terrorists for the most part its merit, not the merit of Russia. According to the representative of the U.S. Department of defense Eric Pahana, “the Syrian regime, and Russia has not demonstrated a serious approach or commitment to defeat ISIS” and carried out only a small part of the operations.
On the same day, the Russian defense Ministry published data showing that in the last month, the daily military operations of the international coalition against ISIS terrorists in Eastern Syria, did not exceed three to five strikes against single targets away from the strongholds of the militants. “During the same period, aircraft of Russian air force was fulfilled 672 sorties and struck more than 1,450 targets”, — said Russian military.