Russia and the Syrian government are not serious about defeating the Islamic State terror group, inspite of a pledge to drive the militants out of territories east of the Euphrates River.
Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon told Sputnik: “the Syrian regime and Russian Federation have not demonstrated seriousness or commitment to defeating ISIS.
“They have only conducted a fraction of counter-ISIS operations, and most of the territory liberated in Iraq and Syria has been liberated through the efforts of the Global Coalition and its partners.”
Russian military envoy Maj.-Gen. Yevgeny Poplavsky said earlier on Monday that operations against the Islamic State were nearing an end, while the Russian Centre for Syria’s Reconciliation said the terrorist group would be eliminated from areas east of the Euphrates “in the coming days.”
Pahon said the U.S.-led coalition would continue to operate in Syria to completely defeat the terror group, stabilize liberated territory and allow for the return of displaced Syrians.
The U.S.-led coalition of more than 70 members is conducting military operations against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
The coalition’s strikes in Iraq are conducted in cooperation with Iraqi officials, but those in Syria are not authorised by the government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council.