Miqdad: Continued Military Support for Assad Contradicts Russia’s Statements in Support of Political Solution

Luay al-Miqdad, the FSA media and political coordinator, slams “the timing of increased Russian military support for the Assad regime at a time the international community is moving towards reaching a political solution that includes the transfer of power and the departure of Assad.” Miqdad questions “how the Russian officials express support for a political solution while stressing in closed-door meetings that they are convinced that Assad is part of the problem and that his departure is the basis of a political solution.” Miqdad points out that “the Russian position proves that they are not only lying to the Syrian people, but also to the international community.” Miqdad holds the international community, especially the United States, Britain and France, responsible for Russia’s actions because these countries are coordinating with them.” Miqdad said that the FSA’s General Staff received “international guarantees of continued support for the FSA to maintain the military balance. The FSA has been fighting all the forces of terrorism, including terrorist militias of Hezbollah, the Iraqi militias and the militias of al-Baghdadi.” Miqdad stresses that Assad’s forces are crumbling after Syrian revolutionaries defeated ISIS and Hezbollah. He also states that the latest Russian arms supplies represent a license for more killing and destruction by the Assad regime. In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones and guided bombs. “Dozens of Antonov 124s (Russian transport planes) have been bringing in armored vehicles, surveillance equipment, radars, electronic warfare systems, spare parts for helicopters, and various weapons including guided bombs for planes,” a Middle East security source said. Khalid Saleh, head of the Media Office, said yesterday that “Assad must know that Geneva II should not be a waste of time at the expense of the blood of the Syrian people. The goal of the conference is undoubtedly the formation of a transitional ruling body with full powers and without any role for Assad and his associates to play in the future of Syria.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)