Syrian President Assad ‘sure of victory’ over militants

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he is sure about the victory of the Syrian forces over the foreign-backed militants operating in Syria.

The Syrian president made the remarks in a message carried by state media on Thursday, marking the country’s Army Day.

“If we in Syria were not sure of victory, we would not have had the will to resist nor been able to persevere in the face of more than two years of aggression,” Assad stated.

On Wednesday, Syrian forces gained control of the strategic Khaldiyeh District in the western city of Homs.

Following the achievement, the Syrian army said it was turning its focus to regaining control over the districts of Varsha, Qarabis, and Jouret el-Shayah in Homs.

In comments addressed to the army personnel, Assad said, “I have great faith in you and confidence in your ability to… fulfill the national mission that has been assigned to you.”

The president further praised Syrian soldiers by saying that the army had shown “rare courage in the battle against terrorism… in one of the most brutal and ferocious wars of modern history.”

In June, Syrian forces launched a mop-up operation in Homs to recapture the areas held by the militants.

The Syrian army is currently engaged in mop-up operations against Takfiris in the three provinces of Dara’a, Homs, and Aleppo.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011.

Many of the militants operating inside Syria are reportedly foreign nationals.

According to the reports, the West and its regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey – are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.