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Beijing Praises Moscow’s Successful Military Campaign in Syria

© Ministry of defence of the Russian Federation / Go to the mediabankTu-22 strategic bombers of Russia's Aerospace Defense Forces set to hit ISIS targets in Syria
Tu-22 strategic bombers of Russia's Aerospace Defense Forces set to hit ISIS targets in Syria - Sputnik International
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While initially greeted with skepticism by global leaders, Russia’s military operation in Syria has been hailed as an undoubted success. On Friday, China’s first special envoy for Syria also touted the air campaign’s achievements.

"Russia’s anti-terrorist operations in Syria are part of international counter-terrorism efforts," Xie Xiaoyan told reporters.

"Russia’s military operations in Syria in the past six months have effectively curbed the spread of extremists and terrorists there. I think this is an encouraging progress."

The Foreign Ministry building as seen from the Borodinsky Bridge in Moscow - Sputnik International
Moscow Condemns Series of Terrorist Attacks in Syria - Foreign Ministry

Xie reiterated Beijing’s support for political stability in the region.

"Meanwhile, efforts to counter terrorists and extremists within Syria will also help the political settlement of the Syrian issue," he added. "It is also a good thing for counter-terrorism endeavors in the region.

"The international community should look at the larger picture of counter-terrorism in Syria, cooperate closely and form synergies."

The Kremlin began military operations in Syria last September, conducting airstrikes against terrorists with Daesh, also known as IS/Islamic State. Acting at the request of the legitimate government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Moscow announced that the mission had completed its goals last month.

Speaking during a journalism forum in St. Petersburg on Thursday, President Putin explained Russia’s role in the crisis.

Syrian government forces' tanks drive in the village of Tal Jabin, north of the embattled city of Aleppo, as they advanced to break a three-year rebel siege of two government-held Shiite villages, Nubol and Zahraa, and take control of parts of the supply route on February 3, 2016 - Sputnik International
Feeling the Heat: Syrian Army Retakes More Villages Amid Aleppo Offensive

"It is too early to say that some radical change happened there [Syria]. But there it is obvious that we have completed our task there," he told reporters. "It was, above all, to strengthen the statehood in Syria and the legitimate authorities.

"The [Syrian] statehood has strengthened, as well as the government structures and the armed forces of the Syrian Republic."

The operations also helped coordinate global powers that were fighting an otherwise scattered battle against the terrorist group.

"Our active work in the fight against international terrorism to some degree actually helped tune our relations with leading powers in this important direction for all of us in the fight against international terrorism," Putin said.

Since violence erupted in 2011, the conflict has killed an estimated 500,000 people. Another 2 million have been wounded, with over 11.4 million individuals displaced either internally or abroad making it, according to the UN, the largest humanitarian crisis on Earth.

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