In a televised speech on Sunday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad claimed that the attempts by Western powers to remove him from power have failed even if the long civil war in Syria is not over.
“Assad said that even though there were signs of victory after six-and-a-half years of civil war, the ‘battle continues, and where we go later and it becomes possible to talk about victory … that’s a different matter,’” Reuters reported, adding that Syria’s Assad did not “elaborate” on his claim.
Assad also praised Russia, Iran, and the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon for military victories and said it has reduced “the losses and burdens of war.”
“Assad vowed to pursue an offensive in Syria’s vast deserts, where he is backed by Iranian-funded militias and heavy Russian air power that have allowed his troops to capture significant ground from Islamic State insurgents on several major fronts,” Reuters reported.
Assad’s regime wants to thwart U.S.-backed militias in the Deir al-Zor region that extends to the Iraqi border.
“The eastward thrust, unthinkable two years ago when Assad seemed in danger, has underlined his ever more confident position and the dilemma facing Western leaders who still want him to leave power in a negotiated transition,” Reuters reported.
“Our army is achieving one gain after another every day to eliminate terrorists … we will continue to attack terrorists until the last terrorist on Syrian land,” Assad said.
Assad said he also welcomed ceasefires being brokered by Russia.
“The idea of these de-escalation zones is to stop the bloodletting … and the eviction of the armed groups handing over their weapons and the return of normalcy,” Assad said. “We have an interest in the success of this initiative.”
Meanwhile, rebel leaders are calling for the Assad regime to release of thousands of detainees held in government security prisons, and many are skeptical of ceasefire deals brokered by the Russians and Iran.
“Rebel factions have already accused the army and Iranian-backed militias of ceasefire violations in Eastern Ghouta,” Reuters reported. “The army continues to pound residential areas in rebel-held eastern suburbs of Damascus, witnesses say.”
Assad, in fact, has branded many of the rebel groups who have been working with Russia and Iran on ceasefires as “terrorists” and said his army has a right to attack them.
Assad also dismissed “safe-zones” that President Donald Trump said should be put in place to help the civilian population, including persecuted Christians and other religious minorities.
Assad said the safe zones would “give cover to terrorists.”
In the Syrian government-run media, Assad said a change in administrations in Washington does not alter U.S. policy.
“The West is like a snake, changing its skin according to the situation,” Assad said.
He also said in his speech that he does not consider Turkey an ally of his regime, as reported by the state-run media.
“Erdogan is playing the role of political beggar after his support for terrorists was exposed,” Assad said. “We don’t consider the Turkish side to be a partner nor a guarantor nor do we trust it.”
Assad concluded in his speech that the future of Syria was up to Syrians.
“Everything related to the destiny and future of Syria is a one hundred percent Syrian issue, and the unity of Syrian territory is self-evident and not up for debate or discussion,” Assad said.
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