MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General Nikolay Bordyuzha discussed with Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad prospects of fighting Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization, the CSTO press service told reporters on Thursday.
"At the meeting Haddad was informed about main spheres of Organization’s activity at the current stage, in particular military-political sphere and fighting terrorism. The international situation around the Syrian crisis was also discussed. Special attention was paid to prospects of fighting international terrorism, first of all against Islamic State, and resolving the Syrian crisis," the press service said.
The sides noted similar approaches toward Syrian settlement and agreed to continue maintaining contacts, CSTO added.
The press service noted that Haddad also made a speech at the session of CSTO Permanent Council on the current situation in Syria and around it. "He noted the important role of Russia’s Aerospace Defense Forces in freeing territories seized by terrorist and stressed the importance of CSTO for strengthening peace at international and regional levels," the press service added.
On 30 September 2015 Russia’s Federation Council unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin’s request to launch a military operation in Syria against Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups. Russian Aerospace Defense Forces delivered first targeted airstrikes at militants’ positions on the same day. Since the start of the operation, Russian aviation made hundreds of sorties, destroyed dozens of ammunition depots, explosives production plants and command posts.