MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. All illegal armed groups in Syria receive weapons, finances and are guided from abroad, Chief of Russia’s General Staff and First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov said.

"Take Syria as an example. Prior to Russia’s involvement in the conflict on the government’s side, the country had been actually pursuing an undeclared war advocating for its right to exist. It is still unclear when this struggle transformed from local unrest to a military conflict. No state has openly declared a war with Syria, but all illegal armed groups receive weapons, finances and are guided from abroad," he said.

The number of participants of military conflicts is rising there as time goes by, Gerasimov added. "Regular troops are coupled with the local revolt potential, as well as terrorist and extremist groups," he explained.