Syrian colonel Shawki Ayoub: we accept Manaf Talas to replace Al Assad

Colonel Shahwki Ayoub who works for the Syrian Free Army said the Assad regime fights through Shiite militias from different countries. “We are not against appointing General Mataf Talas in power to succeed Assad in a transition phase,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

It is known that soldiers are attached to the regime. Why were you dissident from the Arab Syrian Army?

It is because it deviated from its main mission: defending people and Syrian lands and not killing people and asking militias and mercenaries for help.

Could you explain the Syrian army’s structure in terms of doctrine?

The Syrian army is dominated by Alawite sect which represents only 15 percent of Syrian people.

It is said General Manaf Talaw may be appointed in a senior position in the Republicain Army. He is Bachar Al Assad’s friend. Do you accept Manas Talas as the leader of the next transition phase?

General Manaf Talas is a dissident officer. He can be a consensual personality. He has partisans and opponents. We accept what is accepted by Syrian people.

How do you deal with other armed brigades which have Islamist trends?

In northern Homs, we cooperate with all the armed brigades to topple the regime.

Are you able to form a Syrian army to succeed the current army you fight?

The Free Army has big executives. Yet, there is an absence of support and organization. It is a national army par excellence. It has enough practical experience.

What is the consequence of Russian shells as Moscow says it targets ISIS?

The Russian air forces caused a big disaster in lives and belongings. It targeted civilians and moderate opposition activists. Most of the regions it bombed did not shelter any member of ISIS.

Do you believe in political solution? Who represents you in the political aspect?

War is an armed conflict to reach goals which were not achieved by politics. When there is a political solution, no one choose war because it is destructive. Because of that, a political and peaceful solution is the aim of everyone.