Syria’s Assad says northern conflict aims to ‘redraw region’s map’
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gestures during an exclusive interview with AFP in the capital Damascus on February 11, 2016. (AFP Photo)
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad said that an opposition-led offensive in the north of the country is an attempt to “redraw” the region’s map.
He made these remarks during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart on Monday.
‘An attempt to divide region’
Assad in a phone call with the Iranian President said, “The terrorist escalation that is taking place reflects far-reaching goals in an attempt to divide the region, fragment its countries, and redraw the maps anew according to the interests and goals of America and the West.”
“This escalation will only increase Syria‘s determination to confront and eliminate terrorism in all Syrian territories,” Assad said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the call with Assad said: “Undermining Syria’s unity is a blow to the region, its stability and the unity of its countries, and is part of a Zionist-American plan.”
“Iran is ready to provide all forms of support to Syria to eliminate terrorism and thwart the goals of its operators and supporters,” Pezeshkian added.
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