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US Joint Chiefs Chair: Balance of Forces in Syria ‘in Assad’s Advantage’

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City of Atshan liberated by Syrian army with support of Russian aviation - Sputnik International
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Syrian President Bashar Assad faces no military threat that could take down the country’s government as the balance of forces in the region is to his advantage, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said in a testimony on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Dunford said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing when asked whether there is a credible military threat to Assad’s government:

“I think the balance of forces right now is in Assad’s advantage.”

Senator Lindsey Graham, a member of the committee, argued that Assad has received support not only from Russia, Iran, but also the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

“He [Assad] is secure as the day is long,” Graham stated.

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Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011. Syrian government forces are fighting against opposition factions and extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS) radicals.

On September 30, Russia began an air campaign against IS terrorists in Syria at the request from President Assad, who Moscow recognizes as a legitimate head of state.

A US-led coalition of some 60 nations has also been bombing IS positions in Syria since September 2014, but without the approval of the UN Security Council or the Syrian government. In addition, Washington has been insisting on removing Assad from power.

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