Russian defense minister says over 60,000 militants in Syria join ceasefire agreement

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. The militant groups joining the ceasefire agreement in Syria consist of over 60,000 insurgents, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. "In accordance with your order, the defense ministry has been holding talks though Turkey with the Syrian opposition leaders. These armed groups control most of central and northern Syria, the total number of their members exceeds 60,000," Shoigu said. "The most influential commanders of the armed opposition groups have been taking part in the talks," he added. The defense minister also said that favorable conditions for dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, interested in preserving the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, have been created. "Organizations that refuse to cease hostilities, will from now on be considered as terrorist groups. Action will be taken against them across Syria, as well as against IS and Jabhat al-Nusra (both terror groups outlawed in Russia)," the defense minister stated. Read more