Syria, Iran Say Israel in 'Same Trench' with Jihadists
The Syrian and Iranian foreign ministers have condemned Israeli airstrikes on two areas near Damascus, calling it an act of aggression that proves Israel was "in the same trench" with extremist groups fighting the Syrian government.
Israeli warplanes bombed the two areas Sunday, striking near Damascus' international airport as well as outside a town close to the Lebanese border. The Syrian government said the attacks caused material damage. Israel has not commented on the strikes.
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem claimed Israel was trying to compensate for losses incurred by Islamic extremist groups in Syria at the hands of the Syrian army. He did not elaborate.
He spoke Monday at a joint news conference in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Muallem said that Iran is backing the latest Russian effort to end his country's more than three-year conflict.
A delegation of Syrian dissidents tolerated by President Bashar Assad's regime will travel to Moscow this week for meetings, days after government members discussed a new peace process there.
A meeting with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov will include talks on a political solution and the role of Syria-based opponents.
Muallem added: "I heard Mr. Zarif support this plan. There is no doubt Iran will help achieve a political solution."
A plan by U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura to "freeze" fighting in local areas, allowing aid deliveries and to lay the groundwork for peace talks, will also be discussed in Russia.
Iran is Assad's main regional ally, and Tehran has acknowledged sending military advisers to assist his forces in their fight against rebels and jihadist militants.
Assad last month called De Mistura's plan "worthy of study".
In Tehran, Zarif did not specifically refer to the Russian initiative, but said: "We have said from the beginning that we should find a political solution without destructive foreign intervention.
"All Syrian parties must be present. I hope these efforts bear fruit."
In Tehran, Muallem also referred to the battle against the militant Islamic State (IS) group, noting "there are ongoing contacts" between Iran, Iraq and Syria "because we all struggle against terrorism".
Iran has helped Iraq politically and militarily in its fight against IS extremists who currently control swathes of Iraq and Syria.
Tehran is not part of the U.S.-led international coalition carrying out air strikes against IS in both countries.
almost 10 years
Ur such a pro Israeli zionist skaf thats why ur a guest
almost 10 years
Same trench ofcourse, since we do only see the IDF shoot at Resistance forces, never at the takfiris.
almost 10 years
wrong again, at one point the syrian regime was killing hamas fighter in damascus calling them terrorist takfiris, so technically when the isralis were fighting hamas they were shooting at takfiris. mind your rhetoric it might come back and bite you in the...
almost 10 years
Walid al-Muallem: "Walaw ya Israel? Walaw, we served you so well in the Golan and you ally yourself with the takfiris??? Why??"
Bibi Netanyahu: "Well you see Mr. Mualem, you and Khezbollah were not adhering to the rules of the game we agree with Khafez Assad. Good old Henry Kissinger helped us. We don't want to take you out like the US took out Gaddafi, we just want to weaken you and teach you a lesson. And if you don't learn it fast, then you and the takfiris will have to kill each other for a very long time."
almost 10 years
Ali Khamanei: "Chetori Walid, the Israelis sometimes we deal with them, sometimes we get our boys in Lebanon to bother them a little. But this time our frenemies have upped their game and proved to us that they can find crazier people than us Mullahs.
I mean those IS guys are right out of a zombie movie. I have nostalgia, I want our boys the ones to terrorize minorities like in 80s Beirut, kidnap foreigners and throw acid at un-Islamic women."
almost 10 years
The Lebanese citizen: "chou khassneh? I have been the pawn of regional and superpowers since 1975. I have died, emigrated, became poor, cried, lost my dignity to militias and this never stops. Ali, Walid and Bibi just leave me alone and go fight and kill one another somewhere else. Let me live."
not possible israel cannot be in 'same trench' with jihadists at least not according to previous iranian and syrian statements. the iranians and syrians themselves warned that if bashar falls and the jihadists win israel's security will be in danger, ie bashar grantees israel's security. besides it was bashar who release the jihadists from jail in the first place not israel.