Syria's Assad hails 'victory' in Aleppo

AP , Thursday 22 Dec 2016

Assad
File photo: Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (Photo: Reuters)

Syrian President Bashar Assad says the "victory" in the northern city of Aleppo is not only for Syria but for all countries fighting terrorism, especially Russia and Iran.

State TV says Assad made the comments during a meeting Thursday with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari.

Iran and Russia have been Assad's strongest backers since the civil war began in March 2011.

Syrian rebels are withdrawing from Aleppo as part of a Russian-Turkish deal that would bring the country's largest city under Assad's control and mark his biggest victory in more the five years.

Assad says the advance in Aleppo is a "major step on the road to wiping out terrorism" in Syria and will contribute to efforts to end the war.

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