Iran, Russia, Syria, Iraq Cooperating in Battle against Terror: Official
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian official said the Islamic Republic is cooperating with Russia in the battle against terrorism as Moscow intensifies its aerial campaign against the positions of Daesh (ISIL) Takfiri terrorists in Syria.
“Iran, Russia and Iraq are Syria’s friends and allies. We do not deny cooperation and consultation between Iran, Russia, Syria and Iraq [in fighting terror],” said Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.
He made the remarks in an interview with Iran's Arabic-language news channel, al-Alam.
On September 30, Russia started its military campaign against terrorists in Syria upon a request by the government in Damascus, after Russia’s upper house of parliament granted President Vladimir Putin authorization to use military force in the Arab country.
Velayati, who is also the president of the Center for Strategic Research of Iran's Expediency Council, described the Syrian government as the “backbone” of resistance, saying the foreign-backed militancy in the Arab country which flared up in March 2011 has been aimed at breaking the anti-Israel resistance front.
He said Iran has supported and will continue to openly support the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, adding that Russia shares the stance with Iran in this regard, Press TV reported.
“We do not hide it that we are in consultation with Russia, Syria and Iraq to prevent the realization of the illegitimate demands of foreigners who seek to topple the legitimate Syrian government,” Velayati said.
Any successful plan to find a solution to the Syrian crisis must take into consideration the central role of the Syrian people in deciding their future and fate, he added.
Iran-Russia-Syria-Iraq Coalition against Terrorism
Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia have formed an intelligence-sharing center in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, in their fight against Takfiri terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
On October 4, the Syrian president said that the coalition must succeed or the entire Middle East region will fall apart, adding that coalition member states, especially Iran and Russia, are well-experienced in combating terrorism.
President Assad, who was speaking with the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, also expressed optimism that the coalition “will achieve outstanding practical results” in their joint military, security and intelligence-sharing cooperation.
