MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to Kartapolov, in most areas of warfare in Syria, once well-trained terrorist gangs have become uncontrollable troops.
"To stop the flow of deserters, terrorist leaders have resorted to unprecedented measures of brutality. Extremists in Syria are known to execute prisoners and hostages," Kartapolov noted. "The latest case is a public execution in Hanshih in the suburbs of Damascus of 17 militants from the Al Ghurabaa armed gang who were trying to leave the war zone and go to Jordanian territory."
According to the spokesman, the terrorists gathered the local population to watch the execution. The killings were filmed, posted online and distributed to other extremists operating near Damascus and in other regions, according to Kartapolov.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with troops loyal to Assad fighting on multiple fronts against opposition factions and extremist groups.
On September 30, Russia commenced precision airstrikes on ISIL positions in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. According to the Russian General Staff, the militants have begun to retreat due to the Russian aerial campaign, having lost much of their weaponry and equipment on the contact line with Syrian troops.
