Forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad walk with their weapons in Palmyra city after they recaptured it, in Homs Governorate in this handout picture provided by SANA on March 27, 2016.

Syria is willing to take part in an international coalition against terrorism but only if the United States will work with Damascus in a way it has not done so far, the Syrian envoy to Geneva peace talks said on Monday.

“The (U.S.-led) international coalition did not succeed in Syria because it did not coordinate with the regime. Russia was successful because it coordinated with us,” Bashar Ja’afari said in an interview with Lebanon-based al-Mayadeen TV.

“We are for the creation of an international coalition against terrorism, but in coordination with the Syrian government. We have no objection to working with America as long as it is done in coordination with Syria,” Ja’afari said.

In response, the United States on Monday welcomed the victory by Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s Russian-backed forces over ISIS in the historic city of Palmyra, despite concerns over his brutal record.

“We do think that it’s a good thing that Daesh no longer controls it,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said, using his preferred term for ISIS.

“That said, we’re also mindful, of course, that the best hope for Syria and the Syrian people is not an expansion of Bashar al-Assad’s ability to tyrannize the Syrian people.”

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