Syrian Government troops are advancing on “nearly every front” thanks to Russian airstrikes that began in September, President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with Chinese television released on Sunday.
The embattled President also said he favoured new peace talks to be hosted in Moscow, but stressed that the Syrian conflict could not be resolved with “defeating terrorism”. In the interview with China’s Phoenix television, Assad said the situation in Syria had “improved in a very good way” since Russia began airstrikes on September 30.
“Now I can say that the army is making advancement in nearly every front... In many different directions and areas on the Syrian ground,” he said, speaking in English. Russia is coordinating its air strikes with Damascus, unlike the US-led coalition fighting the ISIS, which Assad and his Government criticise as ineffectual. The Army has made minimal progress on the ground, according to groups monitoring the war, though the Russian strikes have reportedly boosted morale among Government troops and supporters.
Moscow has also sought a leading role in a political resolution to the conflict, participating in high-level talks in Vienna with other powers recently in a bid to create a framework for peace.
Talks there earlier this month produced a framework for the creation of a transitional Government, a new constitution and elections within 18 months.