In a letter to Syrian president Dr. Bashar Assad, Virginia state Sen. Richard Black described the Syrian president heroic and commended him and the countrys armed forces for exhibit[ing] extraordinary gallantry in the war against Saudi-backed terrorists. I write to thank the Syrian Army for its heroic rescue of Christians in the Qalamoun Mountain Range, the letter begins.
Assad posted Blacks letter to his Facebook page. The Washington Post later confirmed that Black, a Republican from the 13th District in Northern Virginia, had sent the letter.
You have followed the practice of your father by treating with respect all Christians and the small community of Jews in Damascus, Black wrote. You defended their churches and the Jewish synagogue and you have permitted them to worship freely according to their beliefs. I am grateful for that.
The note comes after three years of civil war in Syria. In August 2011, Barack Obama called for President Assads resignation. The Syrian opposition which is being supported by some wealthy Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar has been accused of civil rights abuses, including responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrian Muslim and Christian citizens alike.
I pray that the Syrian armed forces will continue to exhibit extraordinary gallantry in the war against terrorists, the letter read.
It closed by asking that President Assad please convey my personal thanks to the Syrian Arab Army and the Air Force for protecting all patriotic Syrians, including the religious minorities who face death at the hands of the foreign jihadists.