Syria's Assad says Erdogan uses coup to achieve "radical agenda"

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan capitalized on the coup attempt in Turkey to implement a "radical agenda."

In an interview with a Cuban news agency, al-Assad said the agenda Erdogan implemented is the one by the Muslim Brotherhood, adding that such an agenda is dangerous for Turkey and neighboring countries.

The Syrian president was referring to the mass arrests in Turkey and the heightened rhetoric of Erdogan following the failed coup attempt earlier this week.

"How did they took such a decision," al-Assad said of the mass arrest campaign.

"What's the relationship between the universities and civil society with the coup," he questioned.

The Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as one of the staunchest opponents to the government of President Bashar al-Assad throughout Syria's five-year-old conflict.

The Syrian government released endless statements, accusing the Turkish government of supporting the terrorist groups in Syria.

Turkey, under Erdogan, has allowed foreign fighters to cross its territory to reach Syria, with arms and ammunition being smuggled through the Turkish borders into Syria. Endit