Large number of ISIS and al-Nusra terrorists remain in southern Syria

A large number of militants from the Islamic State (IS) and Jabhat al-Nusra terror groups (both outlawed in Russia) still remain in southern Syria and the Idlib area, Russian Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev said following a meeting of the guarantor countries of the Syrian ceasefire (Russia, Iran and Turkey) held in Geneva.

“De-escalation zones were established especially for improving the situation, putting an end to bloodshed and ensuring the ceasefire,” he said.

“The situation in southern Syria was rather calm until recently, though some provocations took place. However, a large number of the IS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists remain in the southern de-escalation zone. Very few IS members remain in northern Syria, while their number is rather large in the country’s south,” the Russian envoy added.

Source: Tass