“I think it (shooting down Russian jet) has shown the real intention of Erdogan who, let’s say, lost his nerve just because the Russian intervention has changed the balance on the ground”.
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Assad also condemned his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, over the downing of a Russian bomber near the Turkey-Syria border, saying he was putting “obstacles in front of any success” against the Islamic State group. The Syrian president, however, believes shooting down the Russian jet won’t change the balance.
He stated that the United States of America continues to see political solution to the conflict as necessary but Assad’s removal is a must as he does not enjoy the support of the majority of his citizens for a long time. “There is no way back in that regard”, he said.
In an interview due to be aired in full on Tuesday, the Syrian President was asked whether he could see a peace deal being signed in Prague, as Czech President Milos Zeman had suggested in September. “You are not charged with any [crime], you are free to go to your normal life, but go back to your normal life, peaceful life”. Even then, Obama said that the Islamic State is a very deadly organization, partially because the social media support that helps the organization get resources, and also ISIS has some very experienced members who know how to fight in all ways.
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Assad said, contrary to what Erdoğan planned to do, the Russian support against terrorism would be stronger. “So, for example, if you mentioned Prague, there would be general acceptance of this idea because of the balanced position of your country”. Obama said that the threat is there enough both in the Middle East and in the West, as the extremist threats are putting fear into people from all over the world, and that this would be a big fight to bring them down. “But of course you have infiltration of terrorists among them, that is true”.
