Syria Doesn’t Bargain over Right to Defend Its Sovereignty: Defense Minister

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Defense Minister, General Ali Abdullah Ayyoub, has affirmed that Syria doesn’t bargain over right to defend its sovereignty and restore control over all its lands.

In a press conference he held jointly with Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri and the Chief of Staff of Iraqi Army, Lieutenant General Othman al-Ghanmi, General Ayyoub said he held very important and successful  meetings with the Chiefs of the Army Staff of Iran and Iraq, pointing out that “the results of these meetings will help the three countries confront the challenges and dangers that emerged because of the spread of takfiri terrorism in this vital area of the world.

Syrian state will restore control over entire Syrian territory.. Idleb is no exception

“We don’t bargain or negotiate over our right to defend our sovereignty and we will reestablish control over every inch of the Syrian lands… The Syrian state will restore full control over its entire territory either through reconciliation or through military force and Idleb will never be an exception as it is one of the four established de-escalation zones,” said General Ayoub, noting that the other three de-escalation zones have returned to be under the Syrian state’s control.

General Ayyoub reiterated that the military presence of any country in Syria without an official invitation by the Syrian state is illegal and is an act of occupation, therefore, it is Syria’s right to defend its national security and sovereignty.

“This right is recognized by all international laws and conventions,” he said, adding that preserving the Syrian state’s territorial integrity is nonnegotiable.

“The Syrian army has enough strength to drive the American occupation forces out of al-Tanf area, stressing that the US troops and others will leave Syria,” Gen. Ayyoub went on to say.

General Ayyoub also added that the areas held by the US-backed “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF) would be brought back under government control through military force or the kind of reconciliation agreements.

 “The only card remaining in the hands of the Americans and their allies is the SDF, and it will be dealt with through the two methods used by the Syrian state: national reconciliation or the liberation of the areas that they control through force,” the defense minister said.

Baqeri: Security in the region is a collective issue

On his part, Major General, Baqeri said security in the region is a collective issue that concerns all countries in the region. “We are ready to assist in confronting terrorism because terrorists also pose serious threat to Iran”.

“We affirm the need to respect the Syrian state’s sovereignty and not to allow any country to enter the Syrian territory illegally,” he added.

Syrian-Iraqi coordination important in the fight against Daesh: Ghanmi

The Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, on his part, said that security of the borders between Syria and Iraq is a very important issue, noting that the Syrian Arab army and the Iraqi security forces are doing their duty in protecting these borders.

Lt. Gen. al-Ghanmi affirmed the importance of full coordination between the Syrian and Iraqi armies in the fight against Daesh.

“Syria’s security can’t be separated from Iraq’s security, because Syria is Iraq’s depth and Iraq is Syria’s depth, so coordination will continue through the data center established for this purpose,” Lt. Gen. Ghanmi said.

He pointed out that the coming few days will witness the opening of the border crossing between Syria and Iraq for exchanging visits and boosting trade between the two countries.  

Hamda Mustafa