Assad: US Destabilizing Syria

Blasts Turkey, Saudis for Backing Rebel 'Terrorists'

In an interview today with German television, Syrian President Bashar Assad condemned the US, saying their policies were destabilizing Syria by providing political protection for “gangs” in the international community.

Assad went on to condemn Saudi Arabia and Qatar for their role in arming rebel factions, which he called “terrorists” in keeping with the official Syrian state media term for them, while faulting Turkey for providing them with logistical support.

He insisted he remained confident in enjoying domestic support, however, saying “The US are against me, the West is against me, numerous regional powers and countries are against me, if the people were also against me, then how could I still be in my position?”

Assad still enjoys considerable support from both Russia and China, which have blocked calls for a UN resolution forcing him from office, and long-time ally Iran. The civil war in the country has grown continually worse over the past few weeks, with rebel factions taking several towns after abandoning the UN-brokered ceasefire.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.