Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to visit Damascus to show support for the Syrian government. The visit is scheduled to take place on Sunday (December 1). Islamist rebels have recently taken control of Aleppo in a surprise attack, posing the strongest challenge to the Syrian government. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Araghchi told reporters he would travel to Syria on Sunday to reiterate Tehran's support for Bashar al-Assad and his administration.
After his visit to Syria, Araghchi will go to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, the next day. There, Damascus' allies and opponents will discuss the Assad regime's sudden defeat in northern Syria.
According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, Araghchi said, “We strongly support the Syrian army and government.”
Islamist rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Aleppo in less than a week in a surprise attack. After that, Assad has not been able to deal with the public for several days. It is the second largest city in the country and a former industrial area.
The embattled Syrian leader appeared in public late Saturday to meet with regional allies in Baghdad and Abu Dhabi. Then the forces loyal to Damascus were seen counter-attacking.
Assad told Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan that the Syrian government was able to counter the sudden uprising “with the help of its allies and friends”.
