Defense Minister Underlines Air Force’s Readiness to Defend Syria

(FNA)- Defense Minister Lieutenant General Fahd Jassem al-Freij underscored preparedness of his country's air force to defend Syria against enemies' possible aggressions.

Speaking on the sidelines a visit to one of the key air bases in the Southern part of the country, the minister said that the Syrian Armed Forces will continue their missions in combating terrorism, and the air force is capable of giving crushing response to any possible attacks by the enemies.

Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis since March 2011. The violence fuelled by Takfiri groups has so far claimed the lives of over 210,000 people, according to reports. New figures show that over 76,000 people, including thousands of children, lost their lives in Syria last year.

Over 3.8 million Syrians have left their country since the beginning of the crisis. According to reports, more than seven million Syrians have become internally displaced.