Medvedev: Airstrikes Alone Are Not Enough to Defeat Terrorists in Syria

Medvedev: Airstrikes Alone Are Not Enough to Defeat Terrorists in Syria

 

Airstrikes delivered in Syria to defeat terrorists are clearly not sufficient enough, but if the US-led coalition deploys ground troops to the country, it would only complicate things, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told Sputnik in an interview.

“It is clear that in order to completely defeat terrorists, airstrikes alone are not enough. The Syrian government forces are fighting against them on the ground. But before making a decision on the deployment of ground forces on Syrian soil as part of the international coalition led by the United States, it is necessary to ascertain whether the Syrian people need this,” Medvedev said.

If ground troops are indeed deployed, this could lead to more casualties and erode chances of finding a political settlement to the Syrian crisis, he said.

“If this is not the case, the operation could complicate the already complex situation in the country, lead to more casualties and destroy the remaining conditions for a political settlement of the Syrian conflict. We believe that the fight against terrorism should be based on international law and a decision by the UN Security Council. At the same time, it is necessary to respect the sovereignty of every state that is within a conflict zone,” Medvedev said.