Syrian ambassador confirms detention of numerous foreign mercenaries fighting for opposition
MOSCOW. Aug 7 (Interfax) - Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad has confirmed that foreign officers fighting against government forces were detained in Syria.
"I possess trustworthy information confirming that a lot of foreign mercenaries who entered Syria illegally have been arrested in Aleppo. They are nationals of various countries fighting against the Syrian army on the side of the armed terrorists," Haddad said in an interview on Voice of Russia radio.
"Arrests are continuing today as well, because the number of terrorists from Turkey, Jordan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and other foreign states is just huge. There are officers of different rank among the detainees, but, to secure the investigation, this is all I can say now for the media," he said.
An investigation will be arranged, and the detainees will either be punished in Syria or will be extradited to their countries, he said.
A number of media outlets reported earlier that several officers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia fighting for the armed opposition had been detained in Aleppo. Some reports allege that a Turkish general is among the detainees, while Ankara has denied this.
