DAMASCUS, Syria — Only the Syrian state can protect groups in northern Syria and the army will “liberate every inch of Syria” from foreign troops, Syrian President Bashar Assad said Sunday. He did not specifically mention the planned withdrawal of 2,000 American troops from northern Syria, but in a televised speech in Damascus he said no one should bet on protection from the Americans. He appeared to be referring to U.S.-allied Kurdish groups in the north who fear a Turkish assault once American troops withdraw from northeastern Syria. “Every inch of Syria will be liberated, and any intruder is an enemy,” Assad added. Speaking confidently about the Syrian army’s military advances on the ground, Assad called on refugees around the world to return to Syria.

Source: National Post February 17, 2019 15:00 UTC