The minister underscored the key role of special task forces in the fight against terrorists, adding that the aircraft have made 1,760 sorties since the start of the operation, Sputnik reported.

“The Special Operations Forces of the Special Purpose Military Units have demonstrated their high efficiency. They played a key role in the elimination of terrorists and destroying critical enemy targets and adjusting our aircraft strikes,” Shoigu said at the lower house of Russian parliament’s government hour.

Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in a civil war, with government forces fighting against numerous terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front and the ISIL.

Moscow has been conducting a counter-terrorist campaign in Syria since September 30, 2015, at President Bashar al-Assad’s request.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in December that the Syrian government and armed opposition groups had reached an agreement on a nationwide ceasefirein Syria and on readiness to start peace talks.

Source: en.farsnews.com