MOSCOW, September 30. /TASS/. Russia’s military involvement in Syrian conflict helped to prevent the collapse of the country, the representative of the Syrian opposition Peaceful Change Path Movement (part of the Popular Front for Change and Liberation) Salim Asad Ali said in an interview with TASS assessing the results of the operation by Russia’s Aerospace Forces in Syria, that began exactly one year ago.
"The Russian operation in Syria actually turned out to be a rescue operation," he explained. "Russia’s military involvement in fact helped save Syria, and prevented the country from collapsing, disintegrating or even falling into the hands of terrorists." "The operation of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, especially in the beginning, bolstered the fighting spirit of the Syrian army and the people," the opposition member noted. "We saw progress in military activities, the terrorists began to retreat and the army started to liberate territories."
According to Asad Ali, thanks to Russia, "today we can discuss the possibility of a peaceful settlement." "Even the Western countries seem to recognize the necessity to seek a peaceful solution," he added. "We can say that the countries of the region and the global community have come to understand that the Syrian issue should be solved somehow." At the same time, speaking of the role of the international players in settling the crisis, Asad Ali noted that their position "is confined to statements for the most part, that do not always correspond with their actions."
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"Today we can say that the Russian-US agreements on the ceasefire in Syria have failed since the US Air Force attacked Syrian government troops in Deir ez-Zor," he added. "It has provided the terrorists with an opportunity to advance."
The Syrian opposition member is convinced that "Syria constitutes a breakpoint where the future of the world’s political and economic order is being determined."
On September 30, 2015, Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) gave the country’s President Vladimir Putin its consent to use the Russian military in Syria. On the same day, Russian Aerospace Forces delivered the first airstrikes against terrorists. Russian aircraft and helicopters were deployed to the Hmeimim air base in the Syrian province of Latakia. Soon after that Russian high-range bombers and sea-based cruise missiles were used for targeting terrorists’ facilities.
Later, the latest S-400 ‘Triumph’ anti-aircraft system was deployed to Syria. The intense phase of the operation lasted till March 15, 2016.