Pentagon: Russia’s role in Syria has become more constructive – BBC Russian

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Image caption According to the Pentagon. in recent years Russia has truly become a strike at targets jihadist

US Department of Defense believes that the role of Russia in Syria in recent years become more constructive.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook at the briefing said that, in his opinion, Russia is now really involved in Syria, mainly the fight against militants extremist group “Islamic state” that can only be assessed positively .

In addition, the United States hopes that Moscow could use its influence with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to further de-escalate the conflict. According to Cook, now Russia plays an important role in monitoring the ceasefire

“[The role of Russia] is much more constructive than before”, -. Said Cook, excluding, however, at the moment the possibility of any cooperation with Russia in the military sphere.

Earlier, the US State Department welcomed the release of Palmyra Syrian forces, which is supported by the Russian air force and special forces. According to the representative office, this is an important victory over the IG despite the fact that it won a regime of Bashar Assad.

Russia has begun operations in Syria last September. Moscow argued that the transaction will take part only aviation, and the goal of air strikes will become objects of “Islamic State” – groups recognized as terrorist and Prohibition s many countries, including Russia.

Western countries but stated that in fact Russian air strikes on positions largely moderate opposition, supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad in a protracted civil war.

in addition, there were accusations against Russia regularly in the bombing of residential areas, which led to the deaths of civilians. Moscow has denied all the charges.

In February, the Syrian conflict through the mediation of Russia and the US signed a ceasefire agreement. Shortly thereafter, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of the main body of troops from Syria.

Nevertheless, Russia has left the country’s forces special forces and aviatsionntsyu group, which, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, continue to strike positions jihadists. With the support of Russia Syrian army last week repelled at IG Palmyra.