Special Representative Lavrentyev: Russia is concerned about the activation of terrorists throughout Syria
Alexander Lavrentiev. Photo: Pavel Bednyakov / RIA Novosti
Terrorist groups have intensified throughout Syria, their actions are causing concern to Moscow, said the Russian president’s special envoy for Syria, head of the Russian delegation, Alexander Lavrentyev, at the “Astana” talks in Nur-Sultan. TASS reports.
According to him, the Russian side is particularly concerned about the activation of the “Islamic State” ( IS, a terrorist group banned in the Russian Federation) and its provocative actions against representatives of the Syrian security forces in Syria. “Naturally, the Syrian army cannot but respond to this. This vicious circle must somehow be broken and the situation stabilized. The time has already come for this, ”Lavrentyev admitted.
He noted that Russia is closely cooperating with Turkey on the situation in the north and north-west, primarily in the Idlib de-escalation zone, and sees Ankara's active desire to promote a settlement. The diplomat added that during the talks, the participants intend to “discuss in great detail the options for enhancing countering terrorist groups and combining the efforts of all interested parties.”
Lavrentyev also said that the next meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee could be held in January 2022.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Council of Heads of CIS countries, speaking about the situation in Afghanistan, recalled the threat posed by IS militants. The Russian leader expressed concern that terrorists who previously fought in Iraq and Syria are now gathering in Afghanistan. The President stressed that there are more than two thousand of them in Afghanistan, they are based mainly in the north of the country, while their leaders are hatching plans to influence other countries, including Russia.
Anamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban (a terrorist organization banned in Russia) Commission on Culture, responded that Putin's fears were unfounded.
