This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34981848

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Syria conflict: Assad says Russia role 'slowing down IS' Syria conflict: Assad says Russia role 'slowing down IS'
(about 1 hour later)
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad says Russia's involvement in his country's war has led to significant changes, including the "shrinking" of the Islamic State (IS) group.Syria's president Bashar al-Assad says Russia's involvement in his country's war has led to significant changes, including the "shrinking" of the Islamic State (IS) group.
Russia launched air strikes in late September in support of Mr Assad, Moscow's ally.Russia launched air strikes in late September in support of Mr Assad, Moscow's ally.
Mr Assad told Czech television that US air strikes on Syria had not slowed IS, but that Russian bombing was doing so.Mr Assad told Czech television that US air strikes on Syria had not slowed IS, but that Russian bombing was doing so.
He also condemned the recent shooting down of a Russian warplane by Turkey.He also condemned the recent shooting down of a Russian warplane by Turkey.
Russia has been bombing rebel positions in Syria, but said on launching the air strikes that its main target was IS.Russia has been bombing rebel positions in Syria, but said on launching the air strikes that its main target was IS.
But the US said last month that most of the air strikes were against "moderate Syrian opposition forces" opposed to Mr Assad.But the US said last month that most of the air strikes were against "moderate Syrian opposition forces" opposed to Mr Assad.
Mr Assad said that since US air strikes on Syria began in September last year, IS "has expanded and the recruiting from around the world has increased. Mr Assad said that since US air strikes on Syria began in September last year, IS "has expanded and the recruiting from around the world has increased".
"While since the participation of Russia in the same fight, so-called against terrorism, Isis has been shrinking. And al-Nusra Front of course and the other terrorist groups. So this is reality. The facts are telling." He added: "Since the participation of Russia in the same fight (...) Isis has been shrinking - and al-Nusra Front of course and the other terrorist groups. The facts are telling."
However, in September, before Russia began its sorties, the US defence department said IS had already lost up to 10% of its territory in Syria in a year.
Mr Assad also criticised the government of Syria's neighbour, Turkey, after its shot down a Russian warplane inside Syria on 24 November.Mr Assad also criticised the government of Syria's neighbour, Turkey, after its shot down a Russian warplane inside Syria on 24 November.
Turkey says the plane entered its airspace and was repeatedly warned to leave before it was downed.
Russia has insisted the plane did not cross the border and that it gave notice of the flight path to the US, Turkey's ally.
In the interview, Mr Assad said the incident showed that his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had "lost his nerve" because Russia's involvement had altered what was at stake.In the interview, Mr Assad said the incident showed that his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had "lost his nerve" because Russia's involvement had altered what was at stake.
"The failure of Erdogan in Syria, the failure of his terrorist groups, means his political demise," he said."The failure of Erdogan in Syria, the failure of his terrorist groups, means his political demise," he said.