SINGAPORE (Sputnik) — The situation in the war-torn Syria is still complicated and Syrian government forces needs more assistance, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said Sunday.
"At the same time we are mindful that the situation in this country [Syria] remains complicated. There is still much to be done to support the Syrian army, which with Russia's assistance has managed to liberate over 500 towns, including the pearl of the world cultural heritage — the city of Palmyra," Antonov said at the "IISS Shangri-La Dialogue" Asia Security Summit in Singapore.
Syria has been mired in civil war since March 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.
The ceasefire in Syria, worked out by Russia and the United States, took effect on February 27 to facilitate humanitarian access to all besieged areas in the country, among other purposes.
