So-Called “US-Led Anti-Terror Coalition” Proved to Have Aimed at Maintaining Terrorism, Prolonging Crisis

DAMASCUS, (ST) The goal of the so-called US-led anti-terror coalition was proved to have aimed at supporting and maintaining terrorism plus prolonging the crisis in Syria, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faysal al- Mikdad has underscored. He pointed out that Syria’s steadfastness in confrontation of a global terrorist war has helped the world know the real nature of the policies adopted by France, Britain and other colonialist countries towards Syria.

 Interviewed by the Syrian TV last night, al-Mikdad said Russia started its military operation in Syria after the US-led coalition had proved to be a failure and not serious about fighting terrorism.  He added that the Russian airstrikes have made within a few days great achievements that exceeded many times what the coalition has made more than a year after it was formed.

The deputy minister clarified that Syria is fighting terrorism that is backed by Gulf regimes which aim at serving the Israeli schemes in the region and undermine the unity of the Arab nation.

Al-Mikdad hailed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s historical and responsible decision to support Syria’s struggle against terrorism.

“It is a heroic deed that will give the region new history and geography and will be a turning point in the world of today, besides it will force the parties who conspired on Syria to reconsider their stances,” al-Mikdad said.

“The steadfastness of the Syrian people, army and leadership has been the basis for the support of Syria’s friends and the main cause of the shift in the policy and public opinion of western countries,” al-Mikdad added.

The Syrian diplomat described the remarks made by western officials in their media against the Russian engagement in the war against terrorism as lies.

He denied any meetings or indirect messages between Syrian and US sides, saying “when we feel that the United States is serious and honest about combating terrorism we will open the door widely for cooperation.” 

Al-Mikdad also hailed the support being provided by Iran to Syria indifferent domains and in the country’s war on terrorism.

Syria welcomes any Chinese anti-terrorism effort

Al-Mikdad stressed that Syria and China have the same battle against terrorism and Syria is ready to accept every Chinese role in this respect. He pointed out that Erdogan’s regime in cooperation with foreign-backed terrorists has brought many “Uighur” terrorists to Syria, so the Chinese friends “know well that terrorism is also targeting them.”

On the mission of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, al-Mikdad said that de Mistura has so far failed twice, the first was when he proposed “Aleppo Plan” which was foiled by Turkey, and the second was when Syria recently accepted to be part in the four committees; a plan that was also foiled by Turkey and the so-called “opposition coalition”.

Syrian-Egyptian relations should restore warmth

Al-Mikdad, on the other hand, asserted that the Egyptian-Syrian relations should restore their warmth because the two countries face a common enemy called terrorism. He welcomed the Egyptian stance on refusing to criticize the Russian anti-terrorism action in Syria.

Hamda Mustafa