Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the air strikes alone will not eliminate the so-called ISIL terrorist group, calling for unifying efforts in this track and engage the Syrian government in this process

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the air strikes alone will not eliminate the so-called ISIL terrorist group, calling for unifying efforts in this track and engage the Syrian government in this process.

Russia Today Website quoted Lavrov as saying in an interview with Russia 24 TV that the coalition, established by the USA, targets ISIL sites in Iraq with the agreement of the country’s authorities while in Syria it works without informing authorities or asking for permission, in a violation of the international law.

He added that the coalition raids ISIL sites, but everybody knows that it is impossible to expel ISIL through air strikes only.

“To realize that mission, land military operations are a necessity, Lavrov said, adding “I don’t think how we could do that without the participation of the Syrian government.”

Lavrov also inquired how Washington won’t see the Syrian government as a partner in fighting ISIL although it did not see any obstacles when Damascus cooperated with the international community in eliminating the chemical weapons.