In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has defended his government's actions in the ongoing conflict that has ravaged the country for over a decade. Assad has been in power since 2000 and has faced widespread condemnation for his brutal crackdown on opposition forces and civilian populations.

Assad claims that the conflict was instigated by foreign powers and "terrorists" who sought to destabilize Syria. He accused the United States, the European Union, and neighboring Gulf states of funding and arming rebel groups with the intent of overthrowing his government.

"We have been fighting terrorism for more than a decade," Assad said. "They attacked us from all sides, but we have defended our country and our people."

Assad dismissed allegations of widespread civilian casualties and human rights abuses by government forces. He claimed that these accusations were "fabricated" by rebel groups and Western media.

"We have always taken every possible measure to protect civilians," Assad said. "Any casualties that have occurred are the result of the actions of terrorists."

Despite Assad's denials, human rights organizations have documented extensive evidence of atrocities committed by government forces, including chemical weapons attacks, summary executions, and torture. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly condemned the Syrian government for its actions.

The interview comes amid a significant shift in the conflict's dynamics. In 2018, the United States withdrew its troops from Syria, leaving a vacuum that has been filled by Russia. Russia has provided military support to Assad's government and has played a key role in shaping the outcome of the war.

"Russia is our ally, and they have helped us fight terrorism," Assad said. "We appreciate their support and we will continue to work with them."

Despite the recent military victories by government forces, the future of Syria remains uncertain. The country is still divided, with rebel groups controlling pockets of territory in the north and northeast. Millions of Syrians have been displaced, and the economy has been shattered.

"The war is not over," Assad said. "We will continue to fight until we have defeated terrorism and restored stability to our country."

Experts believe that the conflict is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, with no clear end in sight. The human cost of the war has been immense, leaving countless lives lost and millions of people displaced. The international community faces the ongoing challenge of finding a diplomatic solution to end the violence and bring peace to the ravaged nation.

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