Bashar Al-Assad, the Syrian President, said on Oct. 4, Sunday, that Syria's coalition with Iran, Russia, and Iraq is important so that the civil war will cease and regain the nation's stability.

According to Kyiv Post, the Syrian president spoke in an interview with Iranian state television, the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, on Sunday, saying that the country's coalition with the three mentioned nations must succeed for the sake of the region's future stability.

Like Us on Facebook

It was the Syrian president's first public comment since Russia began the airstrikes in Syria last week to support his regime. He praised Russia by saying that the latter nation had the vision and fortitude to defeat the rebel forces that seek to remove him from his seat.

As stated by The Wall Street Journal, Russia announced late last month an intelligence-sharing agreement with Iran, Iraq, and the Syrian regime. The deal led to the groundwork for Moscow to begin the strikes on Oct. 30, Wednesday, against the foes of the Syrian president. He then said that his country and Russia had a long-standing relationship.

The president added that the Russians never imposed anything all throughout the history of their relation even during this current crisis, unlike the West. No time frame regarding on Russia's involvement has been set, and its military's presence depends on how the events would unfold.

However, a Russian official said last week that Moscow's campaign against the rebels in Syria could last up to four months.

The growing role of Russia in Syria comes as the United States-led coalition continues to carry out airstrikes in the country against the Islamic militants who already took over large parts of Syria in 2014. While the Syrian president is backed by Russia, the U.S. on the other hand backs the rebel groups, challenging the president's rule. However, it is said that both the U.S. and Russia are currently fighting against the Islamic State group.

Currently, Iran has strengthened its presence on the ground by its proxy forces, and the Syrian president praised the involvement of his allies, including Iraq.

China though does not take part in the military conflict, the Syrian president furthermore added in the interview, but it supports the Russian efforts and role in Syria. In addition, he used the interview to slam the U.S.-led coalition that has been fighting Islamic State by air in Iraq and Syria since 2014's fall season, saying that the strikes were ineffective in fighting against terrorism.

 

TagsBashar al-Assad, Syria's allies, US-led coalition, Airstrikes