Russian Orthodox Church: Moscow waging ‘holy battle’ in Syria

Russia’s powerful Orthodox Church voices support for Moscow’s decision to carry out airstrikes in Syria against the Islamic State group, calling it a “holy battle.”

“The fight with terrorism is a holy battle and today our country is perhaps the most active force in the world fighting it,” Interfax news agency quotes the head of the Church’s public affairs department, Vsevolod Chaplin, as saying.

Chaplin explicitly says the Church backs Russia’s decision to deploy its airforce in Syria to attack Islamic State.

“This decision corresponds with international law, the mentality of our people and the special role that our country has always played in the Middle East,” Chaplin says.

He says a council representing Russia’s main religions — Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism — would release a joint statement on Russia’s role in Syria.

— AFP