Syrian Deputy PM to UN: 'Israel supports groups fighting regime'

Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Walid Al-Moualem charged, more specifically, that Israel has provided funds, arms, and communications support for the groups fighting Syrian regime forces.

By ERIC SUMNER
Updated: SEPTEMBER 23, 2017 22:14
Deputy Prime Minister for Syrian Arab Republic Walid Al-Moualem addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 23, 2017. (photo credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ)
Deputy Prime Minister for Syrian Arab Republic Walid Al-Moualem addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 23, 2017.
(photo credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ)
In keeping with a long tradition of scapegoating Israel at UN General Assembly meetings, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday singled out “the usurper entity” for supporting Islamist groups fighting regime forces in Syria.
“Unlimited Israeli support to terrorists in Syria doesn’t come as a surprise,” he said. “The two support the same goals and interests.”
Moualem charged, more specifically, that Israel has provided funds, arms and communications support for the groups fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. He also promised Syria would retake the Golan Heights, which Israel annexed during the Six Day War.
There is no evidence supporting Moualem’s allegations.
Israel has provided medical treatment to hundreds of victims of Syria’s civil war and sent hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid to the war-torn country.
The foreign minister appealed to the international community, once again, to help take out the Islamic State and other Islamist groups fighting Assad’s forces. He assailed the UN for “failing to uphold its charter” – a recurring theme at UN General Assembly speeches.
Moualem also accused Israel of bombing “Syrian army positions to serve terrorist agendas.”
This comes as Israel allegedly struck a weapons depot near Damascus International Airport Thursday night, according to Arab media reports.
Moualem’s speech also targeted Turkey for “supporting” terrorism within Syria’s borders, which stands “in stark contrast to the positive and constructive role played by Russia and Iran.”
Over 400,000 Syrians have been killed and another 70,000 have perished due to a lack of access to basic amenities, such as clean water and health care, during Syria’s six-and-a-half year civil war.