Assad credits Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah for his army's gains

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad thanked Russia, Iran, and Lebanon's Hezbollah on Sunday for helping his army make gains against rebel groups and the Islamic State, saying their "direct support -- politically, economically, and militarily -- has made possible bigger advances on the battlefield and reduced the losses and burdens of war." Assad made his remarks during a televised address to the country, which is still in the midst of a six-and-a-half-year-old civil war. He said there had been seve...