Syria gains in Aleppo ‘turning point’ in resolving crisis: Iran MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker says the recent advances of the Syrian army and its allies in the northwestern city of Aleppo are a “turning point” in the settlement of the crisis in the Arab country.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy, made the remarks in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in Damascus on Thursday.

The Iranian legislator expressed hope that the Syrian army would emerge victorious over the foreign-backed militancy soon.

Aleppo has been divided between government forces and militants since 2012, a year after the conflict broke out in the Arab country.

The Syrian forces are pushing terrorists back in militant-controlled areas of Aleppo as part of a military operation aimed at fully liberating it from the grip of the extremists.

Boroujerdi also criticized the foreign sponsors of Takfiri militants, saying, “Terrorism will backfire on its supporters who seek to hatch big plots against the entire region.”

He also said Iran and Syria have “strategic and historical” relations, and the Islamic Republic is assisting the Syrian people in their fight against terrorism.

The Syrian premier, for his part, hailed efforts by the Iranian government and nation to support the Syrian people’s fight against terrorism.

Khamis said despite the government’s battle against terrorism, the country is cooperating with friendly countries to restore economic stability by attracting investment in the country and increasing production capacity.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict. Back in 2014, the UN said it would no more update its death toll for Syria because it could not verify the figures that it received from various sources.

Iran confident about victory of Syria, resistance

In another meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem in Damascus on Thursday, Boroujerdi said Iran is confident that Syria and the resistance front would achieve a final victory against terrorists.

“The Iranian government and nation will keep up their support for the Syrian government and people,” the senior Iranian lawmaker said, adding, “This support will continue in all fields until a [final] victory in the battle against Takfiri terrorism and restoring security and stability throughout Syria.”

The Syrian foreign minister, for his part, said resistance is the only option for the Syrian government and nation in their fight against terrorists, and that signs of an imminent victory for the Syrian people are emerging.

Boroujerdi and Muallem also discussed ways to improve Tehran-Damascus relations.

Also on Thursday, the Iranian legislator held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and attended a press conference.

Boroujerdi (L) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meet in Damascus on August 4, 2016. © AFP
The senior Iranian parliamentarian arrived in Damascus on Wednesday after his official visit to Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, where he held talks with senior Lebanese officials, including Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, Prime Minister Tammam Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

In Beirut, Boroujerdi also held talks with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on the latest political and security developments in the region.