Syria’s Foreign Minister
Walid al-Moallem said today his government is “satisfied” with the U.S.-led
bombing campaign against the Islamic State. He made the remarks during an
interview with the Associated Press.
Moallem said that the U.S.
does not inform Syria of every strike before it happens. He added, “But it’s
OK.” He said that Syria heard from the United States 24 hours before it led the
initial airstrikes last week.
Moallem continued that the
fight against ISIL has “aligned” Damascus with Western and Arab opponents of
the Syrian regime in “fighting the same enemy.” (AP, 29 September)
Moallem’s remarks
contradicted the Iranian and Russian opposition to the U.S. air campaign in
Syria. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the airstrikes illegal during a
speech at the UN General Assembly earlier this week. The Iranians could be
concerned about a possible warming up of relations between Assad’s government
and the U.S. at their own expense.
Moallem suggested that
al-Nusra and other extremist Islamist groups should also be hit.
Photo credit: Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem addressing the UN General assembly; 29 September 2014 (UN.org)
Photo credit: Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem addressing the UN General assembly; 29 September 2014 (UN.org)
