Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/assad-threat-of-us-military-strike-is-not-why-syria-is-handing-over-weapons Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Assad: Threat of U.S. military strike is not why Syria is handing over weapons Nation Sep 12, 2013 10:00 AM EDT Photo: Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Russia's state-run news channel Rossiya-24 that he is ceding his weapons to international control due to Russia's offer and not the threat of a U.S. military strike. "Syria is handing over its chemical weapons under international supervision because of Russia," Assad said in the interview. "The U.S. threats did not influence the decision." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Photo: Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told Russia's state-run news channel Rossiya-24 that he is ceding his weapons to international control due to Russia's offer and not the threat of a U.S. military strike. "Syria is handing over its chemical weapons under international supervision because of Russia," Assad said in the interview. "The U.S. threats did not influence the decision." A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now