The Special Adviser to the Syrian presidency Bouthaina Shaaban

The Special Advisor to the Syrian Presidency, Bouthaina Shaaban, said that "martyr Qassem Soleimani exerted strained efforts to plant the spirit of sacrifice and redemption and set the example of asceticism in the world."

"Martyr Soleimani worked on devising his strategy at the right time and place, guided by moral integrity," Shaaban said, delivering a speech on behalf of President Bashar Al-Assad on the second anniversary marking the martyrdom of Lieutenant-General Qassem Soleimani.

“Soleimani formed a military, political and cultural phenomenon which posed threat on the enemies’ plots,” the top Syrian diplomat stressed.

المستشارة الخاصة في الرئاسة السورية، #بثينة_شعبان، في الذكرى الثانية لاستشهاد القائدين #قاسم_سليماني و #أبو_مهدي_المهندس:" لماذا تقرر دولة بحجم #الولايات_المتحدة أن تستهدف شخصاً يعتبر نفسه جندياً في الصراع مع الإرهابيين، لو لم يشكل خطراً على خططها، وتواجدها". pic.twitter.com/XLIwywi9nE
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) January 6, 2022

"Within the framework of the internationalization of morals and liberation which were preached by Commander Soleimani, his integrity was never for sale," she said, assuring that "the US committed its crime out of fear of the propagation of Soleimani's example in the region and the world, which threatens its regional goals."

"We must remain loyal to Soleimani's path, and we must work to strengthen cooperation," Shaaban said, adding that "our adversaries recognize the extent of the danger that communication between Syria and Iraq to lift the unjust siege on our peoples poses."

The top Arab diplomat stressed that "Syria, with the valor of its army and the support of its allies, won - but, its real victory is in securing independence in decision-making."

"Syria, whose soil Soleimani adored, will be a beacon of resolute resistance that knows no compromise," she said. "We will engage in a huge economic and cultural struggle after the military conflict," Shaaban stated, "and we will not allow the martyrs' blood to be wasted."

The Commander of Al-Quds Force, Lieutenant-General Qassem Soleimani, and the Deputy Head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, were martyred in an assassination operation by a US missile strike near Baghdad International Airport a year ago, on January 3, 2020.

Read More: General Soleimani, the revolutionary, the martyr, the legend