Vladimir Putin said that Russia has made progress in its fight against the Islamic State and is currently discussing anti-terrorist cooperation with several Arab nations and Israel.

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MOSCOW (Sputnik)Russia has made progress in its fight against the Islamic State and is currently discussing anti-terrorist cooperation with several Arab nations and Israel, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.

“There is definite progress in regard to this plan, in the plan of coordinating actions and efforts in the fight against terrorism in that region. We were able to establish business contacts with Middle Eastern governments and are in discussion with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and other countries attempting to establish mutual cooperation with the United States and Turkey,” Putin said during a Commonwealth of Independent States meeting.

At the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Putin urged the international community to create a broad international anti-terrorism coalition with Islamic countries.

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-25, Su-24M and Su-34 attack aircraft, with the support of Su-30 jets, commenced precision airstrikes against IS targets in Syria on September 30, following a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The Russian General Staff said the Islamic State militants are suffering significant losses, changing tactics and hiding in villages.

The situation in Afghanistan is very close to critical as terrorists are attempting to enter Central Asian nations, Vladimir Putin said.

“One of their [terrorists’] goals is to break into the Central Asian region. We need to be ready to react to this scenario in agreement,” Putin said during a Commonwealth of Independent States meeting.

He also said that the situation in Afghanistan is nearing a critical point and that terrorists are getting more and more influence and not even hiding their plans for further expansion.