We feel your pain, will continue to help: Khamenei to Syria, Turkey
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei expresses condolences to the people of Syria and Turkey in the aftermath of Monday's devastating earthquake.
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Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a video conference in Tehran on February 17. (AFP)
In a speech on Wednesday Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assured the people of Syria and Turkey of Iran's continued help and assistance.
He expressed sadness over the humanitarian disaster caused by the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Monday, followed by an unprecedented series of aftershocks. :We feel great sorrow for our brothers in Syria and Turkey who have been afflicted by earthquakes. We ask the Almighty God to bestow His mercy on the deceased and grant patience to those who are grieving."
More than 9,000 people have been killed in the two countries so far, and the death toll is expected to rise as temperatures drop. "We pray that the souls of the victims rest in peace, and we ask God to grant their families patience,” Khamenei said while addressing a gathering of military officials.
"We have been afflicted by earthquakes before too. We know when an earthquake hits & families lose their loved ones how hard & bitter it is. We feel their pain & ask Almighty God for patience & tranquility for them. The authorities have helped, thank God, & they will help again."
Khamenei reiterated that Iranian officials have assisted [the victims of Syria and Turkey] and will continue to assist the two neighboring countries.
The first Iranian plane carrying humanitarian aid landed at Damascus International Airport on Tuesday, to help the quake-stricken Syrian people.
Iran’s Ambassador to Damascus Mehdi Sobhani, who was at the airport, said Tehran would send more planes carrying relief aid to Syria.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi extended his condolences to his Turkish and Syrian counterparts, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar al-Assad, in separate calls over the tragic loss of lives in the earthquake and promised his country's help and assistance.
Also on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged the different countries to exert pressure on the US government to lift the cruel siege of Syria so that international humanitarian aid can be delivered to the quake-stricken people, without any obstacles, in the shortest possible time.
Read next: Middle East Council of Churches: Lift sanctions off Syria immediately
