The leader, whose regime has begun a renewed bombardment of Aleppo in recent days, is currently backed by the Russian air force, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and a myriad of Shia militias from Syria’s Arab neighbours.

However, although Assad is opposed by internal Sunni rebels backed by Turkey, the US and Gulf monarchies.

In an interview with Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda, he said the Saudis told him: “If you move away from Iran and you announce that you disconnect all kinds of relations with Iran, we’re going to help you. Very simple and very straight to the point.”

The Syrian military’s continuance of its campaign to retake Aleppo has left over 150 people dead, according to rescue workers.

“You have to keep cleaning this area and to push the terrorists to Turkey, to go back to where they come from or to kill them. There’s no other option,” Assad said. (Euronews)