Syrian conflict could be over in months – Assad

The armed conflict in Syria could be over in a few months if the local population actively helps government troops to restore peace and prevent violence, President Bashar Assad said in an interview broadcast throughout the Arab world. According to Assad, the anti-terror campaigns are most successful in those regions with strong public support for the army. He also said that some of the rebels are continuing to surrender to government forces to try and return to peaceful life or join the fight on the government’s side. Since the armed conflict began in Syria in March 2011 over 100,000 people have been killed according to UN estimates. Besides the internal opposition the government forces are fighting a large number of radical Islamist groups such as al-Nusra Front and increasing numbers of foreign mercenaries.