Cuba Affirms Support for Syria in Wake of Victory Against Islamic State Group

Cuba has reiterated its support for Syria, as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla met with the Syrian Ambassador to Havana, Idris Mayya, on Saturday.

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Rodriguez said, at the meeting, that Cuba supports Syria’s struggle against terrorism, highlighting the recent victories of the Syrian Army against extremists, including ousting the Islamic State group from its territories.

The minister also highlighted the country’s territorial integrity, rejecting foreign interference there.

Rodriguez further denounced the United States and its allies in the region, for “destroying infrastructures and executing Syrian people.”

Last week, Syria declared victory after seizing the last Islamic State group stronghold in its territory, as the Syrian army captured the border town of al-Boukamal. Lebanese Shi’ite resistance group, Hezbollah, played a key role in the ousting.

Cuba has consistently expressed support for Syria, especially when the latter plunged into civil war in 2011. The Latin American country has sent medical supplies and vaccinations over the years.

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The late leader of Cuba’s Revolution, Fidel Castro, was a longstanding ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad even after he had stepped down from power in 2006.

Following his death in November 2016, Assad hailed Castro's "legendary resistance" to the blockade imposed by Washington on Cuba.

"The great leader Fidel Castro led his people's and his country's struggle against imperialism and hegemony for decades," Assad had stated, whose own country has faced sanctions by the United States.