DAMASCUS: Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has warned of destruction in all Syria and region if coalition of Syria, Russia, Iran and Iraq fails.
He criticized US air strikes terming it counterproductive for his oppression.
On the other hand, Russia has carried out more air strikes in Syria saying it was targeting so-called Islamic State (IS) while the ground realities were different as a large number of innocent civilians were martyred.
Syrian activists say the raids appear to have focused on other rebel groups (who are against Assad).
In an interview with Iranian state television, reported by the Syrian presidency Twitter feed, President Assad said Syria, Russia, Iran and Iraq were united in battling terrorism and would achieve ‘practical results’, unlike the US-led coalition.
Assad’s international opponents say a negotiated solution to Syria’s four-year-old civil war must involve the president stepping down, although some Western nations now say he could remain during a transitional period.
But Mr Assad insisted: ‘Discussion about the political system or officials in Syria is an internal Syrian affair.’
