Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — blamed in horrible attacks on the civilian population — believes “the worst is behind us” in his nation’s six-year civil war because government troops have retaken rebel areas ­after years of fighting.

“Unless the West and other countries and their allies, their puppets, support those extremists in . . . a very massive way, I’m sure the worst is behind us,” Assad told India-based WION television, according to Agence France-Presse.

“Things now are moving in the right direction . . . because we are defeating the terrorists.”

Syrian military forces have made significant gains in rebel-controlled territories, recapturing the city of Aleppo in December.

Assad credited peace talks launched by Russia, Iran, and Turkey in Astana, Kazakhstan, in March for bringing some stability.

“Astana has achieved, let’s say, partial results.”