Syria: Assad vows to continue Idlib offensive in Damascus address

*NO CUTAWAYS AT SOURCE* *JUMP CUTS AT SOURCE*
C/U Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaking, Damascus
SOT, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President (Arabic): "Our honourable people of Aleppo, greetings of resilience and steadfastness, greetings of faith in God and homeland, greetings of courage and sacrifice - all conveyed to you by the Syrian Arab Army through its soldiers."
SOT, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President (Arabic): "When the city of Aleppo was liberated at the end of 2016, I said that the situation before the liberation won't be the same as after. I made my statement knowing where the hearts and minds of our soldiers were looking at and also acknowledging that the patriotism and loyalty of the Aleppo people to their country and the army will definitely turn the table on the enemies. And this is exactly what happened. However, Aleppo had to pay a high price that reflects the greatness and patriotism of its people."
SOT, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President (Arabic): "It is true that the liberation of Aleppo in 2016 didn't bring the desired peace as it remained under the shells of treachery and cowardice, and it is true that winning a battle doesn't necessarily mean winning the war, but this is said according to the abstract military logic which is based on outcomes and results. As for the national [patriotic] logic, a victory starts with the steadfastness even from day one. And according to this logic, Aleppo has triumphed, and Syria has triumphed as well. All of us have triumphed over the fear they tried to instil in our hearts and the delusions they attempted to ingrain in our minds. We've triumphed over the dissociation, hatred, treason and whoever represents, embodies and exercises these traits."
SOT, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President (Arabic): "However, we are fully aware that this liberation does not mean the end of the war, nor does it mean the crushing of all plots, the demise of terrorism or the surrender of enemies. But it certainly means we have rubbed their noses in the dirt as a prelude to their complete defeat, sooner or later."
SOT, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian President (Arabic): "And it also means that we shall not surrender but continue to prepare for the upcoming battles. And therefore, the battle of liberating the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib will continue, despite the empty babble that is coming from the north [Turkey]. And we will continue the battle to liberate every inch of the Syrian soil, crush terrorism and achieve stability."
M/S Assad speaking
SCRIPT
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed that "the battle of liberating the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib will continue," adding that his government would "liberate every inch of the Syrian soil," during a televised address in Damascus on Monday.
Assad continued that the Syrian Arab Army's (SAA) victory in the Aleppo countryside were a "prelude" to the militants' "complete defeat."
"We are fully aware that this liberation does not mean the end of the war," said Assad, adding that "it certainly means we have rubbed their noses in the dirt as a prelude to their complete defeat, sooner or later."
The SAA has regained control of towns and villages surrounding Aleppo following an extensive offensive against militants. The government forces have also reclaimed full control of the strategic M5 highway connecting Aleppo, in the north of the country, and Damascus in the south.