Moscow, Jakarta face common threat from IS - Russian Ambassador

Russian pilot of the Su-34 at the air base, "Hmeymim" in Syria. Source: RIA Novosti/Dmitry Vinogradov

Russia and Indonesia face a common threat from the Islamic State (IS), which is looking for underground recruits in both countries,  Mikhail Galuzin, Russia’s ambassador to Indonesia told the Jakarta Globe .

“The main reason for Russia to join air force operations in Syria is that there are several thousand Russian citizens fighting for IS,” Galuzin told the paper. “Our government and our society don’t want to see these militants come back again to Russia to continue their terrorist activities.”

Galuzin told the paper that he heard from Indonesian officials that they shared similar concerns, as there are Indonesian nationals who went to Syria to join IS and fight against the Syrian government.

The Russian ambassador added that Russia would continue to cooperate with Indonesia to prevent underground IS recruitment. 

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