TEHRAN – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised Russia and Iran foragreeing to his government’s request for help in the war on terrorism,saying the door is open for Iran, like Russians, to have military bases inSyria if need be.link>link>link>[image: Assad Sees No Problem in Establishment of Iranian Military Bases inSyria]link>
In an interview with al-Alam news network, Assad underlined that Iran doesnot have any military bases in Syria.
“Since Iran is an ally of Syria, like Russia, there is no obstacle to theexistence of such (Iranian) military bases (in Syria),” the Syrianpresident said.
He also noted that Iranian and Russian forces are in Syria at the requestof Damascus.
If necessary, Syria will ask Iran to establish military bases forassistance, he said, adding that Tehran has not made any such request sofar because its interests are limited to fighting terrorism.
“If we feel in the course of cooperation, coordination or negotiations withthe Iranians that we may need Iranian military bases, we will not hesitate(to ask Iran),” Assad explained.
Asked about any plan to visit Iran, the Syrian president said such a visithas been only postponed, not cancelled, because of the extraordinary warsituation in Syria.
Assad added that he will pay a visit to Iran soon, at the earliestopportunity.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terroristgroups, including Daesh (ISIL), controlling parts of it.
The conflict has reportedly claimed the lives of over 470,000 people,injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’spre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.
Throughout these years, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria andsupports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.