China’s new Syria envoy praises Russian military mission

China’s first special envoy for the Syrian crisis praised Russia’s military role in the war on Friday, and said the international community should work harder together to defeat terrorism in the region.

Russia’s military intervention in Syria in September helped turn the tide of war in President Bashar al-Assad’s favour after months of gains in western Syria by rebel fighters, who were aided by foreign military supplies including US-made anti-tank missiles.

While President Vladimir Putin announced last month that “the main part” of Russian armed forces in Syria would start to withdraw, the Russian air force has continued to carry out strikes on targets in the country.

Russia says it has targeted Islamic State militants. But rebels on the ground and Western officials say the strikes have mainly targeted moderate rebel groups, including US-trained fighters, not associated with Islamic State.

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China’s special envoy Xie Xiaoyan said Russia’s military operations were carried out at the invitation of Syria’s government with the aim of striking at domestic extremists.

“Russia’s anti-terrorist operations in Syria are part of international counterterrorism efforts. Russia’s military operations in Syria in the past six months have effectively curbed the spread of extremists and terrorists there. I think this is encouraging progress,” Xie said.