Mission nearly accomplished: Russia defeat ISIS

On November 20, President Vladimir Putin had talks with President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar al-Assad who was in Russia on a working visit.

He made a surprise visit to Russia to express thanks for Moscow’s help in the fight against terrorism. At a meeting with President Putin, which began with an embrace, the leaders discussed the Syrian political settlement ahead of Moscow's talks with Iran and Turkey.

The visit by President Assad to the Black Sea resort of Sochi was not revealed until Tuesday, after he had already left Russia. Footage and photos released by the Kremlin after the event show the Syrian leader, embracing Vladimir Putin and shaking his hand on the porch of a presidential residence in the southern Russian city.

“Welcome to Sochi. First, let me congratulate you on Syria’s results in combating terrorist groups as well as on the fact that the Syrian people, despite a very difficult ordeal, are gradually moving towards the final and inevitable defeat of the terrorists”, Vladimir Putin greeted Assad.

“Mission nearly accomplished,” was Vladimir Putin’s message following a surprise meeting with Bashar al-Assad in Sochi.  

“We’re still a long way off fully defeating terrorism,” the Russian President is ascribed as saying. “But as far as concerns our work… on Syrian territory, the military operation is coming to an end.”

In turn Assad said: “I am very glad to have this opportunity to meet with you two years and several weeks after Russia launched a very successful operation.

Over this period, we have achieved major success both on the battlefield and on the political track. Many regions in Syria have been liberated from the terrorists, and the Syrians who had to flee from these regions can now return there.

It should be acknowledged that the operation brought progress to the political settlement in Syria. And the process which was started and which Russia promoted with various efforts continues, above all, based on respect for the UN Charter, the state’s sovereignty and independence”.

The two leaders then moved inside for a photo op and formal greeting speeches, before a nearly three-hour round of talks behind closed doors. Afterwards, Putin took his Syrian guest to meet Russian generals and introduced Bashar al-Assad to senior officials of the Russian Defence Ministry and the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces who were in Sochi to attend another series of meetings on military construction and the State Armament Programme.

“I’d like to introduce you to the people who played a key part in saving Syria,” Putin told Assad as he introduced the men in green uniforms. “Of course, Mr. Assad knows some of you personally. He told me during our talks today that thanks to the Russian Army, Syria has been saved as a state.”

Assad used the opportunity to relay the gratitude of his government and the Syrian people to those involved in the two-year operation in the war-torn nation. “I would like to underline the effort made by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, the sacrifices they have made,” he said.

In 2015, Russia sent its warplanes to help Damascus fight against extremist Islamist forces trying to overthrow the government. The operation prevented a collapse of the secular Syrian state, and paved the way for a political dialogue with opposition groups who see a future for Syria not based on extremist ideology.

The joint Russian-Syrian military operation took place in parallel with diplomatic efforts to establish a ceasefire in large parts of Syria and facilitate direct negotiations between the government and moderate opposition. Turkey and Iran played a crucial role in negotiating the so-called “de-escalation zones” and are actively involved in furthering a political transition in Syria.

Mr Putin said the stage was now set for a switch to politics for the “long-term regulation of Syria”. This new political regulation should come under the aegis of the UN; Mr Assad was “ready to work with everyone wanting peace”, the Russian President claimed. 

The two leaders discussed details of the Syrian People’s Congress, which has been re-scheduled for early December in Sochi. The conference, which will include the Syrian Democratic Forces and other groups, was due to take place on 18 November.