Russia Will Back Free Syrian Army and Assad Troops: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is supporting the Free Syrian Army against terrorists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin during his speech at a meeting with top military officials in Moscow. (Photo: AP)

President Vladimir Putin on Friday vowed to further modernise the Russian arsenal and said that its military in Syria will “immediately destroy” any target threatening them, adding that Russia was supporting the opposition Free Syrian Army, providing it with air support, weapons and ammunition in joint operations with regular Syrian forces against Islamist militants.

“The work of our aviation group assists in uniting the efforts of government troops and the Free Syrian Army,” Putin told an annual meeting at the Defence Ministry.

Now several of its (Free Syrian Army) units numbering over 5,000 troops are engaged in offensive actions against terrorists, alongside regular forces, in the provinces of Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Raqqa.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

“We support it from the air, as well as the Syrian army, we assist them with weapons, ammunition and provide material support.”, he added.

Putin said the Russian military action in Syria is essential for protecting Russia from extremists based there, adding that fending off that threat is the main goal of the air campaign Russia launched on Sept 30.

(With inputs from AP and Reuters.)