Putin: We Went to Syria to Prevent the Creation of a Terrorist Zone Like Afghanistan

Bayan News – Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, stated that Moscow intervened in Syria ten years ago to prevent the creation of a terrorist zone similar to Afghanistan.

On Thursday, December 19, during his annual press conference, Putin added, “We achieved our goals in Syria.”

The Russian President noted that the opposition groups against Bashar al-Assad have undergone internal changes and said: “It is no coincidence that today many European countries and the United States are attempting to establish relations with these groups. If they are terrorist organizations, why are you engaging with them? This shows that they have changed, doesn’t it? And this means that the objectives have been achieved to some extent.”

He emphasized that the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria would not constitute a defeat for Russia.

During the press conference, Putin also mentioned that his country has withdrawn approximately 4,000 Iranian forces from Syria and continues to maintain contact with all influential groups in the region.

According to the Russian President, Moscow is considering the preservation of its air and naval bases in Syria. At the same time, Moscow has proposed to its partners that these bases be used as humanitarian centers.

These remarks come two weeks after a coalition of groups opposing Bashar al-Assad took control in Syria.

Recently, Ahmad Shar’a, known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, stated in an interview with the BBC that his style of governance would not resemble that of the Taliban, as he believes in education for women and girls.

Turkish Foreign Minister Responds to Trump: The Will of the People Prevails in Syria