Syria's Assad says major gains against rebels not yet end of nine-year conflict - Reuters
Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Monday recent rapid gains in a Russian-backed military offensive that has recaptured large tracts of territory from rebels was not the end of Syria's nine-year conflict.
But Assad, in an appearance televised by state media, vowed to continue the offensive until the "country is liberated" and that the gains achieved so far presaged the final defeat of the insurgency that sought to topple his rule.
