MOSCOW, December 16. /TASS/. CIS member states should strengthen their counterterrorism efforts in light of the situation in Syria, a senior Russian lawmaker said.

“We know that the ranks of the victorious opposition coalition include members of radical groups and terrorist organizations and that they may intensify their subversive activities in Russia’s neighboring countries following recent developments in Syria. Of course, we must remain vigilant about the risk of extremism spreading throughout the country. In this regard, we must strengthen joint migration controls and intensify counter-terrorism efforts in the CIS region. said Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the international committee of the Russian State Duma (lower house of Parliament) of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), said in an interview with National Defense magazine.

The overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar Assad and the armed opposition’s seizure of power could have repercussions far beyond the region, Slutsky noted. “At this point, the situation is more dire than expected. Russia has supported UN calls to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity, advocated for an inclusive inter-Syrian dialogue, and supported a peaceful transition of power However, unrest continues in the country and recovery efforts have not yet begun,” Slutsky added.

On November 27, the Syrian armed opposition launched a large-scale offensive against government forces in Aleppo and Idlib provinces. On the evening of December 7, opponents of President Bashar al-Assad captured several major cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Daraa and Homs. On December 8, they entered Damascus, forcing the army to withdraw from the capital. Assad resigned and left the country. On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who had led the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib province since January 2024, announced his appointment as head of the Syrian interim government until March 1, 2025.