Iran to continue full support for Syria: Official

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani made the remarks in a congratulatory message to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad on the recent gains by Syrian forces against Takfiri militants and the liberation of the ancient city of Palmyra in the west-central Homs Province.

“The real resolve and determination of the Syrian nation, government and army to purge the territories occupied by terrorist and Takfiri groups is reason for praise and pride, and these sacrifices and acts of gallantry will be registered in the region’s history,” Shamkhani said.

“On this path, the Iranian government and armed forces will continue their full support for Syria and the axis of resistance,” he added.

Pointing out that the Takfiri Daesh terrorists threaten the entire world, Shamkhani described Syria as the front-line of the fight against terrorism, calling on the international bodies to support Damascus in its anti-terror campaign.

“International organizations and countries claiming [to fight terrorism] should stop whitewashing the image of certain terrorist groups and getting them involved in peace talks and, instead, focus their efforts on support for the Syrian government and a real fight against terrorism,” Shamkhani said.

On Sunday, Syrian armed forces successfully established full control over Palmyra, inflicting what the army called a “mortal blow” to militants.

The major gain came after Syrian army advances in the western and northern parts of Palmyra during the previous several days and intensive military operations in the south.

The ancient city had fallen to Daesh last May. The Syrian army and allied forces kicked off an assault earlier this month to take Palmyra back with the help of Russian airstrikes.

The liberation of Palmyra now opens up eastern Syria to the army and deals a heavy blow to the Takfiri Daesh terrorists, who are in control of most of the two provinces of Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqah.

Since 2011, Syria has been gripped by a militancy it blames on some foreign governments. The conflict has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 470,000 people.