Special US presidential envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Brett McGurk said that the US-led coalition would take a series of procedures in east Syria and west Iraq to prevent the emergence of a new version of ISIS in the region.
In a letter to members of the 74-nation anti-ISIS coalition, the envoy said operations in the first quarter of 2018 would focus on ending the presence of the terrorist group.
He said that later, the coalition’s work over the coming year would require intensified effort to stabilize communities liberated from ISIS.
“The US is prepared to remain in Syria until we are certain that ISIS is defeated, stabilization efforts can be sustained, and there is meaningful progress in the Geneva-based political process,” he said.
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin set three priorities for Moscow in Syria, in his annual New Year's letter addressed Saturday to head of the Syrian regime, Bashar Assad.
According to the Kremlin, Putin told Assad that Russia would continue supporting Syria's efforts to defend its sovereignty.
Russia would “continue to render every assistance to Syria in the protection of state sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, in the promotion of a political settlement process, as well as in efforts to restore the national economy,” the Kremlin reported.
Putin’s comments on Syria’s sovereignty expect to pave the way for a confrontation with the United States.
Moscow continues to offer support to Assad and still ignores the crimes committed by the regime against the people.
Head of Russia's Federation Council (upper house) International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev told Ria Novosti news agency on Saturday that the US calls that Russia pushes the Syrian regime to stop assaults against its people, only aim to undermine the position of Bashar Assad in any future political settlement in Syria.
