Syrian Ex-Opposition Head Calls Quarrel With Russia Mistake of Anti-Gov't Groups

The former National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces leader said that alienating Russia was a mistake made by some Syrian opposition groups.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Alienating Russia was a mistake made by some Syrian opposition groups, Ahmed Moaz Khatib, the former National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces leader said.

"… part of the opposition stood up against Russia, not understanding the big impact Russia has on the region. This was, in my opinion, a political blunder," Khatib said in an exclusive interview to Rudaw news outlet, released on Sunday.

He added that a few opposition groups, including the one he represented, attempted to strike a close relationship with Moscow, but had not seen much "positive response" from the Russian side.

Syria's civil war between government forces and a wide range of insurgents, including opposition groups and terrorists, such as Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham, outlawed in many countries including Russia, has been raging for more than five years and has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.