Syria troops make advance

Assad claims

AFP, DAMASCUS: Syrian government troops are advancing on “nearly every front” thanks to Russian air strikes that began in September, President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with Chinese television released Sunday.
The embattled president also said he favoured new peace talks to be hosted in Moscow, but stressed that the Syrian conflict could not be resolved with “defeating terrorism”.
In the interview with China’s Phoenix television, Assad said the situation in Syria had “improved in a very good way” since Russia began air strikes on September 30.
“Now I can say that the army is making advancement in nearly every front... in many different directions and areas on the Syrian ground,” he said, speaking in English.
Russia is coordinating its air strikes with Damascus, unlike the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, which Assad and his government criticise as ineffectual.
The army has made minimal progress on the ground, according to groups monitoring the war, though the Russian strikes have reportedly boosted morale among government troops and supporters.
Moscow has also sought a leading role in a political resolution to the conflict, participating in high-level talks in Vienna with other powers recently in a bid to create a framework for peace.
Talks there earlier this month produced a framework for the creation of a transitional government, a new constitution and elections within 18 months.
But there was no agreement on the fate of Assad, whom the opposition and their backers want gone, but allies such as Iran and Russia say should be allowed to run in new elections if he wants.
Assad said it was “my right” to run in new elections but it was “too early” to say if he intended to.
“(It) depends on how my feeling is regarding the Syrian people. I mean, do they want me or not?” “You cannot talk about something that’s going to happen maybe in the next few years,” he said.

Syria troops make advance

Assad claims

AFP, DAMASCUS: Syrian government troops are advancing on nearly every front thanks to Russian air strikes that began in September, President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with Chinese television released Sunday. The embattled president also said he favoured new peace talks to be hosted in Moscow, but stressed that the Syrian conflict could not be resolved with defeating terrorism. In the interview with Chinas Phoenix television, Assad said the situation in Syria had improved in a very good way since Russia began air strikes on September 30. Now I can say that the army is making advancement in nearly every front... in many different directions and areas on the Syrian ground, he said, speaking in English. Russia is coordinating its air strikes with Damascus, unlike the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, which Assad and his government criticise as ineffectual. The army has made minimal progress on the ground, according to groups monitoring the war, though the Russian strikes have reportedly boosted morale among government troops and supporters. Moscow has also sought a leading role in a political resolution to the conflict, participating in high-level talks in Vienna with other powers recently in a bid to create a framework for peace. Talks there earlier this month produced a framework for the creation of a transitional government, a new constitution and elections within 18 months. But there was no agreement on the fate of Assad, whom the opposition and their backers want gone, but allies such as Iran and Russia say should be allowed to run in new elections if he wants. Assad said it was my right to run in new elections but it was too early to say if he intended to. (It) depends on how my feeling is regarding the Syrian people. I mean, do they want me or not? You cannot talk about something thats going to happen maybe in the next few years, he said.