Putin declares 'complete victory' on both banks of Euphrates in Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets the audience at the congress of volunteers in Moscow, Russia December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday a complete victory had been achieved over Islamic State militants on both banks of the Euphrates river in Syria.

In comments released by the Kremlin, Putin said the military operation in the area was now finished, and that the focus would switch to a political process that would eventually involve presidential and parliamentary elections.