MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia launched airstrikes against terrorist groups in Syria in September 2015, at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. On March 14, Putin ordered to withdraw most of Russia's military contingent from Syria after objectives of the operation had been accomplished.
"I believe that new formal coalitions are impossible until a request of Bashar Assad to other countries that are participating in other coalitions now or a decision of the UN Security Council coordinated with the Syrian authorities," Kosachev told Russia’s Izvestiya newspaper in an interview published on Monday.
He added that Russia finds it crucial that all its actions as well as actions of other states in Syria must comply with the international law.
"There are two absolute circumstances that allow a military operation in a foreign state to comply with the international law. That is either a decision of the UN Security Council or a direct request of the country’s legitimate authorities. In case of Russian military operation in Syria there was a request of Bashar Assad," Kosachev said.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.
On February 27, a US-Russia brokered ceasefire entered into force in Syria, with terrorist groups such as the Daesh and al-Nusra Front, both outlawed in Russia, being excluded from it.
