China pledges backing for Syria
China has expressed its concerns regarding the situation in Syria and has indicated its readiness to assist Damascus in combating terrorism, according to a statement from its Foreign Ministry. Read Full Article at RT.com
On Monday, Lin indicated that China is “deeply concerned” about the recent developments in Syria, where jihadist militants undertook a surprise offensive last week. He noted that as Damascus' “friend,” China is prepared to implement measures to prevent further deterioration of the circumstances.
The Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham terrorist group, previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra, along with allied militias, initiated a significant attack on territory controlled by the government in northern Syria last Wednesday. They captured multiple towns and villages across the Aleppo, Idlib, and Hama provinces.
In response, Syrian government forces, supported by Russian air power, launched a counteroffensive on Thursday, successfully reclaiming several settlements over the weekend. Reports suggest that hundreds of militants were killed during the operations, which also hindered their progression into central Syria. However, the Syrian General Command indicated that numerous service members of the Syrian army were lost amid the intense clashes.
“China is deeply concerned over the situation in northwestern Syria, and supports its effort to uphold national security and stability,” Lin stated during the press briefing. He added, “As Syria’s friend, China is willing to make an active effort to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Syria.”
The Chinese embassy in Syria is closely monitoring the local conditions and has issued a security alert for Chinese nationals in the country, advising them to enhance their security measures and, if possible, relocate to safer regions, Lin elaborated.
China’s relationship with Syria has been strengthening in recent years. Last September, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar Assad formalized a "strategic partnership" agreement that commits both nations to collaborate in order to “jointly safeguard international fairness and justice” amidst the “unstable and uncertain international situation.”
During that meeting, Xi expressed Beijing's support for Syria in “opposing foreign interference and unilateral bullying, safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Additionally, several countries, including Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Egypt, have shown support for Damascus in recent days, praising its efforts in combating terrorism. Moscow condemned the militants' offensive, labeling it a “direct violation of Syria’s sovereignty,” and mobilized air force units stationed in the region to assist the Syrian army. Tehran has called upon Islamic nations to unite in supporting Syria against the militants, attributing the escalation to the actions of Israel and the US.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News