TEHRAN (FNA)- Thousands of foreigners, including citizens of European countries, are fighting for the opposition in Syria, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters on Friday.
“According to our information, plenty of foreigners are fighting on the side of the militants in Syria. We know that several thousands have come from Europe,” Antonov said.
There are militants from Russia in Syria, as well, he added, the Voice of Russia reported.
“The question is what will happen when the conflict in Syria ends and these armed people with combat experience return to Europe,” he added.
Their return will not contribute to the security of citizens in European countries, Antonov observed.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.
Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.
The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.
Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots to topple President Bashar al-Assad, who is well known in the world for his anti-Israeli stances.
