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.
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.