Syria and North Korea might be two of the most embattled countries in the world right now. But in the face of increasing pressure from the United States, the two nations are reaffirming their friendship.
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday that leader Kim Jong Un had received a message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marking the anniversary of the birth of Kim's grandfather and North Korea founder, Kim Il Sung, who died in 1994.
The message said the two nations were "conducting a war against big powers' wild ambition to subject all countries to their expansionist and dominationist policy and deprive them of their rights to self-determination," KCNA reported. "The two peoples of Syria and the DPRK are as ever struggling for their rights to self-determination and national sovereignty and the security and prosperity of their countries," it added, using the initials for the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
A separate message sent by Assad honored the fifth anniversary of Kim becoming North Korean leader, according to KCNA.
The positive messages have gone both ways. According to North Korean state newspaper Rodong Sinmun, Kim sent Assad a message last week to honor the 70th anniversary of the Syria's Baath Party and another this week to commemorate the anniversary of the Syrian revolution in 1963.
A close relationship between Syria and North Korea is far from new. North Korea had originally supplied military training to Syria, but the relationship later expanded to weapons sales including ballistic and chemical weapons.
North Korean military advisers and air defense troops aided Syria after the 1967 and 1973 wars with Israel. Pyongyang is later believed to have provided some of the technology used to build the secret Kibar nuclear site in Syria, which was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in 2007.
There were unconfirmed reports that North Korean military advisers have helped Assad's forces in the Syrian civil war.
In the era of President Donald Trump, both countries are facing renewed tension with the United States. Where the new American leader had once spoken hopefully of peacefully reaching agreement with both Syria and North Korea, he now seems increasingly open to force. Last week, the U.S. military launched 59 cruise missiles at a Syrian military airfield, marking a major shift in U.S. Syria policy.
Meanwhile, Trump tweeted Tuesday that the United States will "solve the problem" of North Korea with or without the help of China.
This threat of military action seems to have forged a tighter bond between Assad and Kim, both Western-educated scions of isolated political dynasties. The media of both countries note not only their correspondence, but also their condemnation of the international pressure on them. Last month, Syria's Foreign Ministry issued a condemnation of U.S.-South Korean military exercises and reiterated Syria's "support to the people and brave leadership of Democratic Korea."
North Korea's Rodong Sinmun reported Tuesday that a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said the U.S. military strike on Syria was an act of aggression that showed why North Korea needs nuclear weapons. "What happened in Syria once again taught a bitter lesson that no one should have an illusion about the imperialists, and one can defend oneself from the imperialist aggression only when one has one's strength," the spokesman said.
The Washington Post
Wed Apr 12 2017
Kim Jong Un had received a message from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marking the anniversary of the birth of Kim's grandfather.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.