Assad Vows to ‘Defeat and Destroy’ Terrorists in Syria

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad reaffirms his commitment to eradicating terrorism in Syria, pledging decisive action to restore peace and stability.

Syrian President Bashar Assad has pledged to overcome the jihadists who are currently causing chaos in the northern region of his country, stating that victory will be pursued “regardless of how severe their terrorist attacks might be.” These remarks were made as the Syrian Army prepared to protect the city of Hama from these aggressors.

During a phone conversation with Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on Saturday, Assad emphasized Syria’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its stability and territorial integrity against all terrorist threats, as stated in an official release from his office.

According to the statement, Assad added that Syria “is capable of defeating and eliminating them with the help of its allies and friends, regardless of how intense their terrorist attacks may be.”

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) terrorist organization, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, along with various allied militias launched an attack on government-controlled areas in northern Syria on Wednesday. This assault violated a delicate ceasefire brokered by Russia and Türkiye in 2020. By Friday, HTS forces had advanced into Aleppo, a city that has been under the control of the Syrian government since 2016.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Syrian General Command reported that the assault was backed by thousands of foreign terrorists, equipped with heavy weapons and numerous drones. They also noted that dozens of Syrian Army personnel had lost their lives defending Aleppo.

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The General Command announced that Syrian government forces managed to avert the complete fall of Aleppo and have retreated from the city to strategize for a counterattack. Meanwhile, unverified social media reports suggest that Syrian troops are beginning to arrive in Hama, located approximately 80 km south of Aleppo, as part of their preparations for this upcoming offensive.

According to reports from Turkish media on Saturday, intermittent clashes have erupted in the outskirts of Hama as jihadists progress towards the city. Both pro- and anti-Assad Telegram news groups indicate that Iranian military advisers and volunteers have arrived in Hama to support the Syrian military.

Sheikh Mohammed assured Assad that the UAE “supports Syria in its fight against terrorism, and is committed to upholding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and stability,” as stated by the office of the Syrian leader.

Iran has promised a “serious” retaliation against HTS following the group’s attack on its consulate in Aleppo, which resulted in the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Kiyumars Pourhashemi earlier this week. Russia, maintaining a military presence in Syria since 2015, has conducted airstrikes targeting the jihadists and reportedly killed at least 600 militants since Thursday, according to Colonel Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria.