Russia ends anti-terror operations in Chechnya

MOSCOW - Russia has ended its decade-long counter-terrorism operations against separatist rebels in Chechnya, officials said Thursday.

Some 20,000 Russian troops deployed in Chechnya will be withdrawn.

It will also remove the restrictions on international flights into the region, the Russian National Anti-terrorism Committee said in a statement.

The decision is aimed at normalising the situation as well as improving the socio-economic condition there, the statement added.

Russia launched its counter-terrorism operations in Chechnya in 1999.

–RIA Novosti

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