Syrian President Bashar Assad is not Moscow's ally like Ankara is to Washington despite Russia's support of the Syrian leader in his fight against terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Sputnik in an exclusive interview.

"Assad is not our ally, by the way. Yes, we support him in the fight against terrorism and in preserving the Syrian state. But he is not an ally like Turkey is the ally of the United States," Lavrov said.

On September 30, Moscow began its air campaign in Syria on Damascus' request, during which the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted precision airstrikes against the extremists' targets. On March 14, Putin ordered to withdraw most of Russia's military contingent from Syria after accomplishing its objective.

The Russian leader has repeatedly stated that Moscow’s campaign in the war-torn country would only be limited to air operations.

Source: MENA