Daesh controls only 5% of Syria territory: Russia

MOSCOW – 24 October 2017: Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said that Daesh controls less than 5% of the Syrian territories.

Before the start of the operation of the Russian Air and Space Forces, more than 70% of the territory of Syria was under Daesh control, Sputnik quoted Shoigu as saying.

This came at a meeting of defense ministers of ASEAN member countries and dialogue partners.

He underlined that Moscow is focused on restoration of a peaceful life in the country.

As many as 998 cities and settlements have been liberated, the liberated area is 503 thousand 223 square kilometers. Most of the militants were eliminated. The process of restoring a peaceful life in the country has begun. Since the beginning of the operation of the Russian Air Force, since 2015, 1.12 million people have returned to their homes. Only in 2017 — 660 thousand, Shoigu said.

According to him, as a result of the work of the Russian Center for the reconciliation of warring parties, 2,500 settlements across the country have joined the reconciliation process.

The minister mentioned the crucial role of oil sales reduction in the success of the military operation.

"Before 2015 Daesh earned around $3 billion a year from oil sales in Syria, up to $10 million a day in separate periods. Today Daesh financial support from the Syrian territory has almost ceased," Shoigu said.

On October 22, the Syrian Democratic Forces seized Al Omar oil field in the Deir ez-Zor province.