A Syrian opposition commander has said Bashar al-Assad's regime does not have the strength to carry on its battle against opposition fighters, adding that Iran and Hezbollah are the forces behind the protracted war, Today’s Zaman reported.

“Iran and Hezbollah are the ones who are continuing the war in Syria,” al-Tawhid Brigade Commander Abdulkader Saleh said, adding that the war is between the Syrian people and Iran and the Shiite militant group. The al-Tawhid Brigade is one of the largest opposition groups operating in Aleppo.

“Iranians see Syria as the 35th province of [their country]. … Many Iranian authorities have voiced this as well. It is obvious that Iran and Hezbollah are also included in the Syrian war. … The fact that Hezbollah has begun offensives in Idlib's al-Kusair region is evidence of this,” said Saleh as he hinted about cooperation between Iran and Israel for Assad's victory.

“Furthermore, Iran and Hezbollah are cooperating with Israel to be able to support Assad. Assad has protected Israel's border for 40 years,” said the al-Tawhid Brigade commander.

Stressing that their fight is not sectarian, Saleh said they do not want to be referred to as “opponents.” “We are a nation defending itself in an effort to get rid of this oppressive regime. Our fight is a fight for freedom and liberty,” he added.

“The opposition was going to take over arms, so Israel attacked. There is evidence pointing to this. There were some high-ranking officers with whom [the opposition forces] got into contact. [Those officers] were going to defect from [the Assad administration], handing over arms to the opposition. Israel hit these posts in fear that the opposition would take over the arms. The arms included heavy artillery as well as air defense systems. This assault, of course, was intended to support the Assad administration,” Saleh said.