Email
Print
Syria’s foreign minister Walid al-Moallem warns that Saudi or other foreign troops entering his country would “return home in wooden coffins".─ AFP/FIle
DAMASCUS: Syria’s foreign minister warned Saturday that Saudi or other foreign troops entering his country would “return home in wooden coffins” and asserted that recent military advances put his government “on track” to end the five-year-old civil war.
Walid al-Moallem’s comments capped a week that saw the collapse of the latest UN-led Syria peace efforts and a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive near the city of Aleppo that sent thousands of residents fleeing toward Turkey.
Related: KSA lacks courage to send ground troops to Syria: Head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard
A Turkish official said Saturday that as many as 35,000 Syrians had massed along the closed border.
Suleyman Tapsiz, governor of the border province of Kilis, said Turkey would send aid to the displaced, but had no immediate plans to let them in. He said Turkey was prepared to open the gates in the event of an “extraordinary crisis.”
The Norwegian Refugee Council said thousands of Syrians have arrived at seven of the main informal camps close to the Turkish border. The group said the camps were already at capacity before the latest influx, and that aid groups are working around the clock to deliver tents and essential items to the displaced.
In Amsterdam, EU foreign ministers held informal talks Saturday with their Turkish counterpart.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini urged Turkey to open its borders to the Syrians and said the EU is providing aid to Ankara exactly for such purposes. She said the displaced are “Syrians in need for international protection,” and that this was the message delivered in the meeting.
Some of the refugees found shelter in Afrin, a Kurdish enclave to Aleppo’s north controlled by a militia known as the YPG, said a Kurdish official, Idris Naasan. The militia hoped to prevent a humanitarian disaster and help those stuck at the border, he said.
The week had begun on a somewhat hopeful note, with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura declaring the launch of indirect talks between a Syrian government delegation and opposition representatives in Geneva.
However, he was forced to adjourn by mid-week, after the opposition said there was no point negotiating while pro-government troops backed by Russian airstrikes escalated attacks and gained ground north of Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city. The offensive appeared aimed at encircling strongholds rebels have held in the city since 2012.
The breakdown of the talks was followed by a warning from opposition backer Saudi Arabia that it is ready, in principle, to send ground troops to Syria, albeit in the context of the U.S.-led military campaign against Islamic State extremists who control large areas of Syria and Iraq.
Russia’s Defense Ministry meanwhile said it had “reasonable grounds” to suspect that Turkey, another opposition ally, is making intensive preparations for a military invasion of Syria.
Related: Iranian troops arrive in Syria, Russia bombs CIA-trained rebels
In his news conference Saturday, al-Moallem signaled a newfound confidence on the part of the Syrian government, boosted by growing Russian military support. This week alone, Russian warplanes hit close to 900 targets across Syria, including near Aleppo.
The foreign minister said recent territorial gains signal that the war is nearing its end.
“I can say, from the achievements for our armed forces ... that we are now on track to end the conflict,” he said. “Like it or not, our battlefield achievements indicate that we are headed toward the end of the crisis.”
He called on rebel fighters to “come to their senses” and lay down their weapons.
Asked about the possibility of Saudi ground troops entering Syria, he said logic would suggest this is unlikely, but that “with the crazy Saudi leadership nothing is far-fetched.”
“Any ground intervention in Syria, without the consent of the Syrian government, will be considered an aggression that should be resisted by every Syrian citizen,” he said. “I regret to say that they will return home in wooden coffins.”
He repeated the line three times during the one-hour press conference, saying it applies to anyone who attacks Syria with ground troops.
Iran, another military ally of Syria, ridiculed Saudi Arabia.
The semi-official Fars news agency quoted Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, as saying he didn’t think the Saudis were “brave enough” to send ground troops.
“They talk big,” Jafari said. “But even if it happens, it won’t be bad because they would be definitely defeated.”
Iran on Saturday held funerals for six soldiers, including a senior Guard commander, Gen. Mohsen Ghajarian, who were killed in northern Syria while fighting alongside government troops.
Related: Middle East tensions boil as Saudi Arabia cuts ties with Iran
Iran has said it has dispatched military advisers to Syria, but denies sending combat troops. A number of Iranians have been killed in recent months, including several high-ranking commanders.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, an ally of Iran and Syria, has also sent reinforcements to Syria.
The Syrian state news agency SANA reported Saturday that a member of Hezbollah’s “war media” department, which films military battles for the group, was among those killed in fighting north of Aleppo.
The UN envoy, de Mistura, has said the Geneva talks should resume by Feb. 25, though it’s unclear if the delegations will return.
The opposition has accused the government of acting in bad faith by launching the Aleppo offensive in parallel to the start of the talks.
Al-Moallem said the Saudi-backed opposition never intended to negotiate seriously. “They did not come to have dialogue, they did not have such orders,” he said.
The main Syrian opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition, accused Russia of crimes against humanity because of the mass displacement of civilians from Aleppo. In a statement Saturday, the group called on the UN Security Council to denounce the Russian actions.
Comments (45) Closed
He is saying it with so much arrogance. Look what they have done with their country. How do they sleep in the night being the leaders of Syria? Syria is a typical example that how dictators can destroy any country. Just miserable situation.
pakistan must stay away from any conflict in middle east.
Yeah.. all foreign troops except for Russian, Iranian and Lebanese :)
Only solution is to have a proper elections, otherwise this country is going nowhere.
All true democratic countries should condemn Saudi Arab's interferance in Syria and Yamen.
All true democratic countries should condemn Saudi Arab's interferance in Syria and Yamen.
And what about hizbollah and iranian soldiers?
that's like a foreign minister
Iranian included?
Yep, Exactly. Qaddafi and Saddam used to say same.
Does the threat extend also to the thousands of Hezbollah and Iranian fighters fighting on behalf of the regime?
Syria has every right to defend its country.
Looks like Russia has stumped the American 'new world order' reshape of the world. As for the Syrian FM, it is easy to talk tough when someone else is fighting your war. If Russians leave, you will be back to zero. Better you have conciliatory tone, to everyone.That may change attitudes and bring peace. And remember, today's friends can be enemies tomorrow and vice versa.
Exactly similar rhetoric was echoed by Saddam Hussein’s minister against foreign troops.
Syria means its sovereignty.
Syrian govt is making coffins for its own citizens.
well done!
Saudis has no courage to do any such thing at all
Well said, no foreign troops on Syrian territory. IS is welcome as they are doing their dirty work of killing rebel groups opposing Syria. Syria needs strong leader like Assad or even stronger to control and bring stability and peace in Syria, democracy is out of question and nobody should try to enforce it on them.
Funny statement, the Americans and Turkish troops are already in Syria.
Common features of all dictatorships to display arrogance.
With sanctions gone, Iranian oil in the market & Russian support, Assad is back in the game! Both Iran & Saudi need to find solutions ...
A more balanced coverage by Dawn than BBC. Zeroedge and guardian on the same subject. I carry Dawn.com (digital) for that very reason.Cheers
Saudi would gain a huge political win when they take those 35000 refugees!
Unfortunately, all Arab countries are more or less as monarch as Asad in Syria. I have no idea on which basis KSA is asserting that Asad is illegitimate given that Asad & Saud are similar in their way of Governance.
All GCC need great introspection about their future way of governance. Better to get united under one umbrella and select their leaders based on shoora.
Yes, Russia is inflicting atrocities upon civilians in the name of air support. UN must take action against them.
If not, Turkey must intervene and stop this brutality and help Syrian people to choose their future leader.
First of all Saudi should smell the danger ahead. Secondly Syria, Iran, Turkey and Gulf States should realize that some hidden powers trying to engage them into war. Time to be cool and sensible.
Saudis and Turkish fake pretext of attacking self created ISIS is well exposed on time by Russia, Syria and Iran.
@Sarai Alamgir and Russian, Iranian too.
@Pashtunyar the Govt of Syria th legitimate body permitted them. While Saudis are planning to interfere with out permission. If Pak's Govt does not allow Indians interference while allows Chinese would you still question why not Indians?
@Pashtunyar "And what about hizbollah and iranian soldiers?" Well, Saudis always interfere to get rid of elected and legitimate regimes and install own puppets. Proof : Overthrew Muhammad Morsi and installed Gen. Sisi and want same scenario in Syria. While Iran and / or Hizbullah only support the victims of oppression be it in Palestine, Syria, Iraq or Yemen. Aims and policies / mindsets of Saudis and Iran / Hizbullah are poles apart, rather in opposite directions.
The Syrian National Coalition is the only stable party in this quagmire. Those already involved must realize that Russia is likely to be worse off than the USSR was after the Afghanistan invasion. The readers of this report might want to look at a book entitled "Black Flag: The Rise of ISIS" by Joby Warrick.
@Asif Do you have any idea what has happened in Syria in the last 5 years. 8 million displaced, 300,000+ killed, and you want an election - for what? As someone said - "the depths of hell are meant for those who in times of moral crisis chose to stay neutral". That describes us Pakistanis!
I dont usualy agree and take sides in these dictators vs dictators fights but i agree on this one: “with the crazy Saudi leadership nothing is far-fetched.”
@Alawite yup sovereignity for sure!!! Are you blind can't you see images of innocent children brutally murdered by Assad regime and the scenes of destruction and dismay throughout Syria which is the direct consequence of the barbaric use of force and chemical weapons against his own people by Assad. Just come out of sectarian biases and condemn the brutalities of Assad
@Be Realistic Let the Turkish border with Syria sealed out completely, the world will witness a huge decrease in foreign fighters influx and cash inflow to terrorists outfits. This will eventually proof that who created the menace and who put the real efforts to eradicate the terrorism.
@Mehtab It is defending his dictatorship rather than defending his country.
Is there any guarantee of peace and harmony after UN-led agreement and subsequent political transition? Regrettably not. It is evident from the recent history of middle east in the wake of Arab Spring. Countries faced with Arab Uprising have still been struggling to control the politico-security situation. Libya is the worst example in this context. Tunis is another case in point. Egypt returned to its previous state structure. Unless sincere efforts are made, peace and harmony in Syria is impossible. the current efforts smell ill-will.
@K.Shah It is more like supporting some of the dictatorships in the region who follows particular ideology whereas, on the other hand world prefers to completely sealed lips against brutalities being done by the same dictators on poor Arabs in the same region.
Sovereignty of every country must be honoured. No world power has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Syria and put in place a regime of its own accord whether it is Iran or Saudi Arabia or any other super power. The decision to replace or change the current Asad-led government is to be made by the Syrian people through a constitutional way and not by bullet-shots. The Syrian FM should abstain from threatening and intimidating KSA or any opposition group as it escalates the tension instead of defusing it. He needs to utilise his diplomatic expertise to find a better solution to the ongoing crisis.
proxy war fought on Syrian soil funded with innocent Syrian victims nothing to do with shias and sunni sects just a power struggle and struggle for their own survival.
I see that at least someone has the backbone alright!
Syria was in better under Asad. Why are the outsiders intervening Syria's internal matters?
@Abdul First ask your leaders to initiate the process but how can they do it they will ask their money back and no further free bees and oil on credit.
@Sarai Alamgir He is talking about new arrivals those who are already there they have been issued visas,