Russia’s participation in operation in Syria to encourage consolidation against terrorism

MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. Bahrain hopes Russia’s participation in the military operation in Syria will encourage consolidation of international efforts to ultimately uproot terrorism, a universal evil, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa said on Monday at a meeting with deputy speaker of Russia’s Federation Council upper parliament house Ilyas Umakhanov. "Your attention to this problem [anti-terrorist efforts] and your participation in the military operation in Syria will obviously entail closer consolidation of various countries and forces across the globe in countering this evil [international terrorism], to defeat it completely in the long run," the Bahraini top diplomat said. "As a great power, Russia understands its responsibility for what is going on," he said. "We hope you will act jointly with other world powers to defeat this evil in close coordination and cooperation." The Bahraini foreign minister called Russian President Vladimir Putin an "outstanding world leader" who "enjoys great respect in Bahrain, with the King and the authorities of the country." "Your policy is absolutely clear and we support it completely," he said, adding he hailed Russia’s stance on inadmissibility of "attempts to topple legitimate regimes in any country." Al Khalifa said "certain regional circles" were supporting terrorists. "That is why we are looking at you with great hope, at how you and your allies and other world powers are fulfilling your mission and are taking responsibility for the fate of the entire world and its future," he said, adding that terrorism was a threat for all states without exception. Umakhanov, in turn, stressed that the use of Russia’s aerospace forces in Syria "is not linked with any geopolitical tasks and is not geared to strengthen [Syrian President] Bashar Assad’s regime. "It is aimed to ensure security of our country," he stressed. Russia’s aerospace forces launched pinpoint strikes against the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra targets in Syria on September 30 after the Federation Council upper parliament house unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request for the use of the armed forces against terrorists in Syria. The Russian air group in Syria comprises more than 50 warplanes and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters and Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. Air strikes are delivered at military hardware, communications centers, transport vehicles, munitions depots and other terrorist infrastructure facilities. The military operation is conducted at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Russia has repeatedly said it does not plan to take part in any ground operations in Syria. Read more