Assad: Hostile States Boost Support to Militants Due to Syrian Army Success

Syrian President Bashar Assad during a meeting with the chief adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velayati said in Damascus that “countries hostile to Syria” have increased the supply of arms and financial support to militants in connection with the successes of the Syrian army, supported by Russia and Iran.

“The success of the Syrian army in the fight against terrorism with the support of friends, especially Russia and Iran, has pushed some countries hostile to Syria to escalate the situation and increase the funding and supply of arms to militants,” SANA news agency reported Bashar Assad as saying.

The president stressed that Syria and its partners would continue to vigorously combat all forms of terrorism, as they are confident that their destruction would be a major step toward stability in the region and in the world. It will also open the door to a political settlement in Syria, he added.

In turn, Velayati praised the resistance of the Syrian people and promised that Iran would continue to support Syria in this ‘fateful’ confrontation.

Ali Akbar Velayati arrived in Damascus for a working visit on Sunday morning. In the Syrian capital, he met with the country's leaders, including President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem.

Syria has been mired in a civil was since 2011, with government forces fighting a number of opposition and terrorist groups, including ISIL and al-Nusra Front.

Damascus has repeatedly accused Turkey, as well as several Gulf states, of funding ISIL.