Syria President: Russia campaign must succeed

AP ^ | October 4th, 2015 | By ALBERT AJI and SARAH EL DEEB

[Mariner]

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's President Bashar Assad said in comments Sunday that the air campaign by Russia against "terrorists" in his country must succeed or the whole region will be destroyed, stressing that the fight against terrorism must precede a political process.

In the interview with Iran's Khabar TV, Assad also accused Western nations of fueling the refugee crisis and said the U.S.-led coalition to fight the Islamic State group will only spark more instability in his country and the region.

These were Assad's first comments since Russia launched its air campaign against multiple armed groups in Syria Wednesday. While the IS controls large swaths of eastern Syria, the Russian attacks have largely focused on the northwestern and central provinces — the gateways to the heartland of Assad's power in the capital and on the Mediterranean coast. Russia's only naval base outside of its territories is also located on the coast, in the Syrian city of Tartus.

Assad said the Russian campaign has the potential to succeed because it is supported by Iran and has international, if not Western, support. He called on countries that support the armed opposition to stop, which would increase the chances of the campaign to succeed.

[Mariner]

While I am certain that Assad is interested in his own survival, comfort, wealth and power...it is difficult to argue with his logic.

The ONLY thing that replaces a secular madman in the Middle East is a Jihadi Horde.

[Iron Munro]

In Spite Of Minor Setbacks Barack Obama continues Work On His Arab Spring

[Viennacon]

My interests are with the survival of Syria’s Christians. The only way this is ensured is if Assad remains in power.

[alloysteel]

Not only must the Russian campaign succeed, it will.

Because the Russians, and now the Iranians, are going in there with not only the intention to fight a perceived enemy, they intend to win, without much thought as to collateral damage.

A good solid ruthless war making best use of an army’s capability to make noise, break things and kill people.

Taking prisoners is for wusses. Unless it is to be for purposes of extracting intelligence about future moves of the enemy, in which instance persuasion to talk takes on, shall we say, a little different aspect.

[Hugin]

So you don’t think the Russians will build a soccer field for their detainees?

[CorporateStepsister]

The Chinese are coming as well and they’ll merrily go on a rampage against ISIS.

[maine-iac7]

QUESTION

If the leader of a country does not want the ‘help’ of military actions inside his country - does not he have that right - unless they are attacking the other country? Would not another country inserting military actions inside said country be illegal?

IOW, would not o’bummer - who now wants to put our troops on the ground - (to thwart Russia’s ability to get the bad guys) - have to stop all (fake/for show US military actions in Syria?