Iran will strengthen the Syrian army, especially its air defenses, announced Iran’s armed forces chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri after meeting with Syrian Defense Minister General Ali Ayoub.
“We will strengthen Syria's air defense systems to improve military cooperation between the two countries,” said Bagheri, adding that the deal will "further enhance our will to confront pressures by the US."
Speaking at a press statement after signing a comprehensive military-security agreement, Bagheri stated that Turkey must realize that solving its security issues is done through negotiation with the Syrian side, not with a military presence on Syrian territory.
The Iranian official criticized Turkey's failure to honor its pledges, saying Ankara is a little late in implementing its commitment to the Astana talks.
For his part, Ayoub said the US administration failed to “subjugate Syria, Iran, and the axis of resistance,” describing the Syrian-Iranian ties as “strategic and firm.”
"Bilateral military and security cooperation is qualitative and ongoing... despite increasing pressure and the mounting severity of threats," he said.
Ayoub vowed to confront "any new challenges with more determination ... with the efforts of all the Syrian people and cooperation with friends and allies determined to confront terrorism in all its forms.”
Addressing Caesar's law which came into effect last month, Ayoud said it comes against the Syrian people, stressing that they will confront it.
He indicated that Syria maintained its government structure since 2011 and will undoubtedly emerge victorious out of the war, despite Israeli pressures.
Ayoub noted that Tel Aviv is a strong partner in the war on Syria, adding that terrorist gangs are part of the Israeli aggression.
