Russia says to continue giving Damascus military help

Russia will continue to provide military support to Syria's government in its fight against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levantg (ISIL) militants, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

"Syrian government forces, with our air support, have moved from defence to attack and liberated part of their territory which was under the control of ISIL fighters," the Interfax news agency quoted Shoigu as saying.

"We plan to continue to provide help to the lawful authorities in Syria and create the pre-conditions for a resolution of this conflict."

Russia began air strikes in Syria in late September.

Moscow insists the strikes are targeting ISIL and affiliated terrorist groups. However, Western countries and their Gulf allies have accused Russia of targeting Assad's more moderate opponents.