Syria deputy FM says attempts to harm Syria-Iran ties have failed

Fri May 15, 2015

The Syrian deputy foreign minister, Faisal al-Mekdad

The Syrian deputy foreign minister says attempts by certain countries to harm the alliance between Syria and Iran have failed.

Faisal al-Mekdad made the remark in an interview with Lebanon’s al-Manar TV on Thursday night, stressing that such attempts are futile.

“And here are the resistance and Syria making further advances and successes every day,” said Mekdad.

The comments came amid recent major advances by the Syrian government forces backed by fighters from Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah in the mountainous Qalamoun region, north of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and along the border with neighboring Lebanon.

The Syrian deputy foreign minister further underscored that Syria is proud of its alliance with Hezbollah, whose “heroes have sacrificed their souls to defend Syria’s sovereignty.”

He also attached high value to Syria’s strategic relations with Iran and Russia.

Mekdad highlighted that Syria’s victories in the fight against foreign-backed Takfiri militants will give “a hard lesson” to certain countries arming and sending terrorists into Syria to achieve their political goals.

“We are not afraid of any threats, and those who try to undermine Syria’s sovereignty and independence will find that the response of the Syrian people and army and Syria’s friends would be sweeping,” he added.

On May 13, the Syrian and Hezbollah forces established full control over the highest peak in the strategic hills in the east of Qalamoun, including the Tallit Mussa hilltop, one of the most strategic positions in the region.

The Syrian army also managed to retake the al-Kherbeh crossing in Qalamoun, killing dozens of terrorists in the area.

Syria has been gripped by a deadly crisis since 2011. More than 220,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced so far due to the turmoil in the country