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Fight against Islamic state

Kremlin confirms Russia supports Free Syrian Army forces in their offensive against IS

Earlier on Monday the chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said more than 5,000 troops of the Free Syrian Army were pushing ahead with offensive operations in four provinces

Free Syrian Army fighter AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Hoang, File

Free Syrian Army fighter

© AP Photo/Virginie Nguyen Hoang, File

MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. The Russian military supports some forces of the Free Syrian Army in their offensive against the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia as a terrorist organization), Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Monday.

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Russian General Staff : Russian warplanes support Free Syrian Army offensive

"It is true that some forces of the Free Syrian Army are involved in offensive operations against the Islamic State and other extremist groups," he said. "These offensive operations have support from the Russian armed forces."

Peskov advised the media to address all questions regarding that cooperation, including the tactics, to Russian military officials.

Earlier on Monday the chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said more than 5,000 troops of the Free Syrian Army were pushing ahead with offensive operations in four provinces: Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Raqqah.

"The number of such Free Syrian Army groups keeps growing. To support these groups alone Russian planes carry out 30-40 strikes a day. The groups also get weapons, ammunition and other material supplies," Gerasimov said at a meeting with foreign military attaches.

"I have nothing to add to what the chief of the General Staff said," Peskov said, when asked about weapons supplies.

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Foreign policy Islamic State

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