Iranian President Praises Assad 'Victory' On Landmark Visit To Syria

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has hailed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for achieving "victory" in the country's 12-year-long civil war. Tehran has been a major ally in the conflict, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions. Parts of the country's north remain outside government control. "Syria's government and people have gone through great difficulties, and today we can say that you have overcome all these problems and achieved victory despite the threats and sanctions imposed on you," Raisi told Assad during a visit to Damascus on May 3, according to a statement from the Syrian presidency.