Bashar Assad: Refugee crisis a result of Western support of Syria ‘terrorists’

Syrian president Bashar Assad has said the refugee crisis in Europe is a direct result of the West’s support of “terrorists” in Syria.

Speaking in an interview with Russian media, he said the priority must be defeating terrorism in Syria. Russian president Vladimir Putin has said it is impossible to defeat the Islamic State group without co-operating with Damascus, and in recent days has sent battle tanks and other weaponry to Syria.