Assad and Pezeshkian unite against regional threats, terrorism

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
2 Dec 2024 14:19

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirm their commitment to regional stability in a phone call addressing the escalation of terrorism.

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting in Tehran in 2024 (AP)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad held a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to address recent developments and bolster cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

During the call, President al-Assad stated that the surge in terrorist activities serves broader objectives aimed at fragmenting the region, dividing its states, and redrawing geopolitical maps to align with the interests of the United States and its Western allies.

He underscored that such escalations would only strengthen Syria’s determination to confront and eradicate terrorism across its territories, reaffirming the resolve of the Syrian army to protect national sovereignty.

President Pezeshkian, in turn, reiterated Iran’s steadfast opposition to any efforts undermining Syria’s unity and stability, warning that targeting Syria threatens the entire region’s cohesion and security.

“The Zionist-American ambitions are evident in their attempts to destabilize the region, its nations, and its people,” Pezeshkian remarked. He described the ongoing events in Syria as a manifestation of these ambitions and emphasized Iran’s readiness to provide comprehensive support to Syria in defeating terrorism and countering external interference.

Bahrain too supports Syria's territorial integrity.

Arab support for Syria continues to pour in.

Earlier, Bahraini Foreign Minister, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, confirmed Bahrain's firm position in ensuring Syria's security and rejecting anything that threatens the country's stability, unity, and territorial integrity.

"Bahrain supports efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis in a way that meets the aspirations of its people for stability and sustainable development," Al Zayani said during a phone call with his Syrian counterpart, Bassam Sabbagh, in which the two discussed the latest developments in northern Syria, especially in Idlib and Aleppo.

On his part, Sabbagh asserted that the state of Syria is set on confronting this terrorism with all severity and firmness, protecting its citizens, enforcing state authority and the rule of law, and restoring security and stability throughout the country.

Syrian government, Resistance standing firm against conspiracies: Iran

The Islamic Republic and regional Resistance groups are firm in their support for Syria currently battling with terrorists, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters upon his arrival in the Turkish capital in the early hours of Monday.

Araghchi said Iran has common concerns with Turkiye and that he hopes to reach an understanding with Turkish officials with regard to the stability of the region, IRNA reported.

The top Iranian diplomat also described his trip to Damascus as very positive. Touching on the meeting with President Bashar al-Assad, he said, "We also had a very good exchange of views on the current developments in Syria and the region."

Of course, the conditions are difficult, but what is certain is the spirit of the Syrian government and the Resistance that is standing firm against this recent conspiracy by Takfiri terrorists, Araghchi noted.

Elaborating on his meeting in the Syrian capital, he stated, "I clearly declared the comprehensive support of the Islamic Republic of Iran for Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian government, army, and people."

Araghchi maintained how terrorist groups found another opportunity to re-launch their attacks, having failed before, by the conditions emerging from the Zionist regime's invasion of Lebanon and Palestine.

He stressed that the Syrian army and government are capable of confronting the terrorists and that the Resistance groups will also help, along with the Islamic Republic of Iran that will provide any support deemed necessary to eliminate the Takfiris.

On his trip to Ankara, Araghchi said he will have a detailed meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister on Monday and will largely focus on common concerns.

Touching on how Turkiye and Iran have always consulted each other on different issues with agreements and disagreements, he expressed hope that a common understanding will be reached this time on issues that will lead to regional stability so that Syria or the region once again could not become a center for terrorists.

Araghchi is scheduled to discuss bilateral relations, the regional situation, and the current developments in Syria with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Monday. The two top diplomats will then explain the stance of the two neighbors in a press conference.

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Terrorist units advanced southward toward the city of Hama, showcasing that a coordinated counterattack by the Syrian army appears to be taking shape.

The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that it had bolstered its defensive lines in the northern Hama countryside to repel the advance, after previously promising to launch a counteroffensive to reclaim all lost territories.

Militants, in this context, described "fierce" ongoing battles in north Hama.

It is worth noting that Araghchi is set to visit multiple regional countries for discussions on recent developments, with a particular focus on the situation in Syria, where militants affiliated with the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, supported by thousands of foreign mercenaries, heavy weaponry, and numerous drones, launched a large-scale offensive from multiple fronts in Aleppo and Idlib.