Iran’s top military commander has called for putting an end to the illegal presence of foreign troops in Syria.
The Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri warned that foreign forces, who are illegally present in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib and east of the Euphrates, should leave as soon as possible.
“[Those foreign] forces who are present in Syria without any authorization from the country’s government must leave the Syrian soil as soon as possible” Baqeri said on Sunday while visiting Damascus to take part at a tripartite meeting on combating terrorism.
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Press TV reports: Baqeri added that he plans to take part in a tripartite meeting with senior Syrian and Iraqi commanders to coordinate efforts made by the three countries in their fight against terrorism and also to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces from Syria.
“As Iran has come to Syria at the official invitation of Syria’s government, the presence of other countries should also take place through the Syrian government’s coordination and authorization,” Baqeri said.
Saying that Iran, Syria, Russia and Iraq as well as the resistance front have managed to make great achievements during the recent years in the fight against terrorism thanks to their remarkable coordination, the top Iranian commander added that efforts would continue to fully liberate Syria.
Baqeri noted that he would hold separate talks with military officials of Syria and Iraq on ways to boost cooperation among the three countries’ armed forces.
Back in December, the top Iranian military commander said despite its mainly peaceful defense doctrine, the Islamic Republic maintains powerful military presence in the region, warning certain regional countries against inviting the US to the Persian Gulf to hatch plots against Iran.
“Regional enemies of Iran must know that in parallel to its peaceful doctrine, the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains powerful and firm military presence, and if need be, it would not only defend its territorial integrity, but also hold the inviting countries responsible for any consequences,”Baqeri said.
