Mikdad: ISIS acts similar to Saudi regime’s

Damascus – Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad said Syria rejects taking part in any illusive religious or sectarian coalitions under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

In an interview with the Russian Novosti News Agency and reported by SANA, Dr. Mikdad stressed that the Saudi regime’s acts are inseparable from the acts of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and thus KSA cannot be part of the war against terrorism.

 He noted that the meeting that had been held in Saudi Arabia for the so-called Syrian opposition witnessed the participation of terrorist groups and figures that actually do not represent the opposition, adding that “Those terrorist groups can only be faced in combat not in meetings…We support holding dialogue with genuine opposition forces that exist on the ground and have influence. We think that the KSA is not qualified to hold such meeting as it explicitly supports these armed terrorist groups.”

He dismissed as cheap Saudi and Turkish propaganda the allegations that the Syrian government is buying petroleum from the ISIS, adding that “We import petroleum from our friendly countries, especially Iran. We never buy from the ISIS because such thing would be an insult for all the Syrians…These allegations are sheer cheap Turkish and Saudi propaganda”.

Syria welcomes any Russian effort in the framework of fighting terrorism, Mikdad said, adding that the Russian support to Syria has contributed to the achievements of the Syrian army.

Mikdad highlighted that Syria is also cooperating with Iran and there are Iranian military advisors who are active on the Syria soil.

He said there is no communication between Syria and the USA, adding that the U.S.-led coalition was ineffective against the ISIS and the other terrorist organizations.

Washington talks on a moderate armed opposition give the US no credit in the fight against terrorism, Mikdad said, indicating that the U.S. goals are still the same, meddling in countries’ internal affairs, toppling regimes, investing in terrorism and supporting the armed terrorist groups.