Damascus, Dec 3 (IANS): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Wednesday that airstrikes are insufficient in the battle against the Islamic State (IS) militants, and that the strikes by the US-led anti-terror coalition were not helpful.

"You can't end terrorism with aerial strikes... Troops on the ground that know the land and can react are essential," Xinhua quoted Assad as saying during an interview with a French magazine.

The US-led anti-terror coalition started their airstrikes against the positions of the IS in Syria late last September. However, the airstrikes have so far done little to quell the momentum of the terrorist group. The coalition noted that there was no coordination with the Syrian troops regarding the war on the IS, known locally as Daesh.

"That is why there haven't been any tangible results in the two months of strikes led by the coalition. It isn't true that the strikes are helpful," Assad said.

"We are running the ground battles against Daesh, and we have noticed no change, especially with Turkey providing direct support to these regions," the president added.

Assad also said that the current French leadership was working against the interests of the Syrian people.

"We will work with any French dignitary or government in our common interest. But the current administration is working against the interest of our people and that of the French people."