Syrian soldiers hoist the Syrian flag and posters of President Bashar al-Assad after entering the symbolically important Kurdish-held town of Ayn al-Arab in northern Syria on Oct. 18, 2019, following a deal between the government and Kurdish forces to cope with Turkey's military incursion. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
During his first declared visit to Idlib, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said the battle there is the main one to eliminate chaos and terrorism in the country. He also slammed the Turkish military incursion in northern Syria, vowing to support any group to resist Turkey's offensive.
DAMASCUS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday met with Syrian soldiers in Idlib province, the country's largest rebel stronghold, state TV reported.
The president met with the Syrian soldiers on the front line in the town of Habit in Idlib countryside, said the report with no further details.
The TV aired photos of the president's visit to Idlib, showing him talking with soldiers and officers. This was his first declared trip to Idlib.
"We said and we are still saying that the Idlib battle is the main one to eliminate chaos and terrorism in all Syrian areas," Assad said.
He noted, however, that all Syrian areas share the same significance, noting that what identifies the priority is the military situation on the ground.
The president also slammed the current Turkish operation in northern Syria.
"When we are facing aggression or theft, we should stand together and coordinate but some Syrians didn't do that ... they didn't listen as they are still betting on the Americans," he said, referring to the U.S.-backed Kurdish forces, who are abandoned by the U.S. amid the ongoing Turkish military assault.
Meanwhile, Assad said that when Turkey began its assault in northern Syria, the Syrian government's main goal was to establish contact with all political and military forces on the ground in that region.
"We said we are ready to support any group that is resisting (Turkish offensive) and this is not a political decision but a constitutional and a national duty," he said.
Over the past couple of months, the Syrian army has made progress in the countryside of Idlib, with the Syrian government stressing that it will regain control over all Syrian areas. ■
