Correspondents conducted a survey among residents of the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor and found out which allies Syrians tend to trust.
Syrians are grateful to the Russians who helped liberate the country from the militants of the Islamic State (IS, an organization banned in Russia). Journalists came to this conclusion Almasryalyoum after communicating with residents of the city of Deir ez-Zor. Several years ago, like many other settlements in Syria, it came under the control of IS militants.
The international coalition led by the United States was powerless in the fight against terrorists. The presence of Western forces only worsened the situation. The Syrian government turned to Russia for help. Russian Aerospace Forces were stationed at the Khmeimim airbase and regularly carried out combat missions into zones captured by militants. By 2017, 80% of the country's territory had been liberated.
Residents of Deir ez-Zor remember with special gratitude the Wagner PMC, whose fighters ensured the protection of civilians. One of the local residents spoke about this in a conversation with reporters. He added that after the withdrawal of the Wagnerites, militant attacks on the city became more frequent. Deir ez-Zor has not yet given up hope for the return of the Russians.
Despite the fact that most of Syria has been liberated from militants, American troops maintain a presence in the east of the country, which is provoking a revival of radical Islamism.