Russia’s Putin congratulates Syria’s Assad on Palmyra victory

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered felicitations to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on the liberation of the ancient city of Palmyra after weeks of army operations against Daesh (ISIL) terrorists.

“In a conversation with the Syrian president, Vladimir Putin congratulated his colleague on Syrian forces liberating the city of Palmyra from terrorists, noting the importance of preserving this unique historic city for world culture,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Putin added that his country’s armed forces would continue to assist the Damascus officials in the battle against terrorism and “rid their land from extremist groups” despite the partial pullout of Moscow’s military contingent from Syria.

During the conversation, the Russian leader also emphasized “the importance of preserving this unique historic city for world culture,” Peskov added.

Assad, in turn, “praised the help given by the Russian space and air forces,” stressing that “successes such as the liberation of Palmyra would be impossible without Russia’s support,” Peskov added.

In a separate phone call, Putin also exchanged views with UNESCO chief, Irina Bokova, about the fate of Palmyra, according to the Kremlin official.

Following four weeks of military operations against Daesh, Syrian forces, backed by popular defense groups and Russian air cover, wrested back control of Palmyra in the western province of Homs on Sunday.

EA