Assad Says He Receives Messages from US-Led Coalition Against ISIS
Assad Says He Receives Messages from US-Led Coalition Against ISIS
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks during an interview with AFP at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 20, 2014.Joseph Eid—AFP/Getty Images
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said his government received “messages” from the coalition forces about the air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in an interview with the BBC.
“Sometimes, they convey a message, a general message, but there’s nothing tactical,” Assad said in a Tuesday interview. “There is no dialogue. There’s, let’s say, information, but not dialogue.”
President Barack Obama has refused any suggestions of dialogue with the Syrian leader, as government troops wage a campaign against opposition forces which has resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, many of them civilians.
Assad denied evidence from human rights groups that the Syrian army had dropped barrel bombs in populated areas. “I haven’t heard of the army using barrels, or maybe, cooking pots,” he said.
Syrians Dig Out After Deadly Attack on Rebel Stronghold
People walk on rubble as others try to put out a fire after what activists said were airstrikes followed by shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Assad in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Feb. 9, 2015.Mohammed Badra—ReutersPeople try to put out a fire after what activists said were airstrikes followed by shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Assad in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Feb, 9, 2015. Mohammed Badra—ReutersA Syrian man walks amid debris inside a heavily damaged building following reported air strikes by regime forces in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, on Feb. 9, 2015. Abd Doumany—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople inspect a site hit by what activists said were airstrikes by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Assad in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Feb. 9, 2015. Bassam Khabieh—ReutersA Syrian girl holds the leg of her injured father as they wait for treatment at a clinic in in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, following reported air strikes by regime forces on Feb. 9, 2015. Abd Doumany—AFP/Getty ImagesAn injured civilian sits inside a shelter as he waits to receive medical assistance after what activists said were airstrikes by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar Assad in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, Feb. 9, 2015.Mohammed Badra—Reuters
