© SANA / Reuters



no intention of backing down and allow a sectarian partition of Syria,

The remarks came after Ankara reportedly sent troops to fight alongside rebels in Aleppo."Our war on terrorism will continue not because we like war.Assad said in a speech to the newly-elected parliament on Tuesday, reiterating"The shedding of blood will not end until we uproot terrorism, wherever it is."Assad also said"Aleppo will become a tomb where all dreams and hopes of this butcher will be buried," the Syrian president said, as quoted by TASS. "The fascist regime of Erdogan focused its attention on Aleppo as it was crushed in Syria and this is thehe continued. The Erdogan remarks come after the Syrian leader- a major supporter of those fighting to oust Assad from office -Russia, which has been on a bombing campaign against Islamic State and other terrorist groups in Syria since September, said on Saturday thatThe city and its surrounding area - located on the border with Turkey - have been a focal point of the country's bloody civil war, divided between government and rebel control. Aleppo is Syria's second-largest city and former commercial hub.Assad also blamed the opposition for itsthis year, calling his opponentsHe went on to thank Russia, China, and Iran for the support they have provided to the Syrian government. He also expressed gratitude towards the Lebanese Shia Muslim group Hezbollah. The Syrian presidentbetween the alliance, particularly with Iran and Russia, saying it was stronger than ever. He stressed that people should not listen to reports about "differences, struggles, and divisions."That statement came just one day afterThe Syrian government has made advances since Russia began its aerial campaign, helping troops capture Palmyra in March. "The way we liberated Palmyra and before that many areas,We have no choice but to be victorious," Assad said during his speech.He went on to reiterate that he hassomething he said is against the fundamental principles of the country's constitution. "A sectarian system turns the sons of the nation into enemies and foes," he said.The speech came as the government continued an advance to capture IS strongholds on Tuesday, including Raqqa. Syria's air force also destroyed several IS positions south of Raqqa, according to the state news agency SANA. Syria's civil war, which shows no signs of ceasing, has led to the, according to official UN figures.