"Let's take the problem of terrorism, which today is acute for African countries. After the defeat in Syria and Iraq, some militants have been on their way to the Sahel and further southward. As a result, bandit enclaves under the banners of ISIS [Daesh], al-Qaeda and Boko Haram, which has pledged allegiance to IS [Daesh] militants, are emerging on the vast territories," Venediktov said.
Russia launched a military operation against terrorist groups in Syria in September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. On December 11, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of a significant portion of Russian troops from the country, a week after his announcement that the Daesh terrorist group was defeated in Syria. However, Russian servicemen have remained at Russia's naval facility in the city of Tartus and Hmeimim air base in order to continue helping maintain security in the country.
READ MORE: Mass Graves Found in Former Daesh Stronghold in Syria
In 2016, the Daesh declared its presence in Libya. UN experts have estimated there were between 2,000 and 3,000 Daesh fighters in the country.
The parliament is backed by the Libyan National Army. At the same time, the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj, operates in the country's west and is headquartered in Tripoli. As a result, Libya was fractured into multiple zones ruled by competing Islamist militias and infiltrated by terrorist groups such as the Daesh.
READ MORE: Eighteen Killed, 84 Wounded in Boko Haram Attack in Nigeria — Emergency Services
The security situation has also been deteriorated in Nigeria due to numerous internal conflicts and the activities of Boko Haram, which is affiliated with the Daesh terror group. The militants killed thousands of people and prompted mass internal displacement of Nigerians from the areas affected by the group’s activities.
*Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia.
