Russia shifts military focus in Syria to al-Qaeda-linked group
dpa
MOSCOW (dpa)- Russia has shifted its focus in Syria to rooting out an al-Qaeda-linked group, following the defeat of the Islamic State extremist group in the war-torn country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
"The main anti-terrorist objective is the defeat of Jabhat al-Nusra," Lavrov said in comments carried by the TASS state news agency, using the previous name of the group now called Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.
The group has been a major force against Russia's ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in that country's bloody, multi-sided civil war.
"The Syrian army and its allies have been pushing Jabhat al-Nusra members out of the country with our support," Lavrov said in a meeting with Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba.
"In particular, they are still resisting, as far as we know, because they have been receiving assistance from abroad," Lavrov said.
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"The Syrian army and its allies have been pushing Jabhat al-Nusra members out of the country with our support," Lavrov said in a meeting with Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba.
"In particular, they are still resisting, as far as we know, because they have been receiving assistance from abroad," Lavrov said.
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