Assad said that Russia’s "powerful air support is fundamental" for Syria, which is involved in "a global war."

The support of Russia and other allies is extremely important for Syria, Syrian President Bashar Assad said in an interview with Portugal’s state-run RTP broadcaster.

In the interview, released late on Tuesday in Damascus by Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, Assad said that Russia’s "powerful air support is fundamental" for Syria, which is involved in "a global war."

"Defeating terror is the only choice that is left for us," he said. "And Syria would not be able to hold out alone, without the support of its friends.".