- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Syria 'Could Have Defeated Terrorism Long Time Ago' if Turkey Border Closed

© AP Photo / Lefteris PitarakisShot with an extreme telephoto lens and through haze from the outskirts of Suruc at the Turkey-Syria border, militants with the Islamic State group are seen after placing their group's flag on a hilltop at the eastern side of the town of Kobani, Syria (File)
Shot with an extreme telephoto lens and through haze from the outskirts of Suruc at the Turkey-Syria border, militants with the Islamic State group are seen after placing their group's flag on a hilltop at the eastern side of the town of Kobani, Syria (File) - Sputnik International
Subscribe
The Syrian government army is capable of defeating terrorism shortly as soon as the porous northern border with Turkey is sealed, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Haddad estimated that over 50,000 fighters from 80 countries are currently fighting on the side of extremists in Syria, backed by global and regional powers. He specified that the Persian Gulf states finance the militants who undergo military training in Turkey.

"Of course, Syria could have defeated terrorism long time ago, but it had required closing the border with Turkey. Nearly all terrorists are crossing through the Turkish border," Haddad told RIA Novosti.

Turkish army tanks take position near the Syrian border (file photo) - Sputnik International
Turkey Doesn't Want Red Cross on Its Territory Near Syrian Border - ICRC
He voiced the opinion that the US-led counterterrorism coalition acting in Syria without the approval from Damascus was established "to support Daesh instead of fighting" the terrorist group.

"Therefore to defeat terrorism there needs to be support for the Russian initiative, which insists on the entire international community to exert efforts. All countries have to agree with it," the diplomat stressed.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала