Assad says Russia’s anti-terror drive would succeed

Damascus: President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday said Russia’s recently launch anti-terror drive in Syria has high chances of success.

“We have confidence that the coalition between Syria, Russia, Iran and Iraq must be destined to success, otherwise, we would face the destruction of the entire region,” Assad said, referring to the Russian-led joint effort to battle terrorist groups in Syria.

In an interview with the Iranian al-Khabar TV on Sunday, Assad said the chances of the Russian, Syrian, Iranian and Iraqi coalition are high, not slim.

Russian warplanes started airstrikes on September 30, marking the first Russian military involvement in the war on terrorist groups in Syria.

Damascus has confirmed it had asked Russia for military aid, adding that Moscow’s aid to Syria has come up on the request of President Bashar al-Assad.

The Russian leadership has recently amplified its military aid to the Syrian military forces. Russian officials have recently stressed that Moscow will continue providing military aid, including specialists, to Damascus.

Russian officials said the increasing military supplies aim at combating terrorism in accordance with international law.

—-IANS