Damascus protests US delegation’s 'unlawful' visit to SDF-controlled area in NE Syria

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has denounced as “unlawful” a recent trip by a US delegation to an area under the control of Kurdish-led militants from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeastern part of the country, stating that the visit is in flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

The ministry said the illegal presence of the US delegates, headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Ethan Goldrich, as well as a senior Swedish diplomat on Syrian territory without coordination or prior approval from relative authorities is in contravention of the UN Charter, international law principles as well as UN Security Council’s relevant resolutions, and infringes upon the Damascus government’s authority.

The Syrian foreign ministry made the protest in two identical messages addressed to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the rotating President of the UN Security Council Lana Zaki Nusseibeh.

US forces transfer Daesh terrorists from Syria’s Hasakah to Iraq

A number of captured Daesh terrorists have confessed to close cooperation with US military forces stationed in Syria.

It roundly dismissed as “shameful” the allegations that the visits sought to alleviate the suffering of the local residents, emphasizing that such claims added to the long list of hypocritical methods employed by various US administrations.

“Syria voices its strong condemnation of such practices, reiterates its determination to establish full sovereignty over all its territories, liberate them from all forms of occupation, and exercise its right to defend the country and its citizens,” the Syrian foreign ministry said.

It called on the international community, the United Nations in particular, to condemn Western countries’ relations with militant groups wreaking havoc in Syria.

On Monday, Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations said Washington is adamantly pursuing a hostile approach and subversive policies against the Syrian government and people through its allied Takfiri terrorist groups, economic sanctions, and other repressive measures.

The Syrian people have vehemently withstood the bloody foreign-sponsored militancy and will not allow anyone to impose their conditions or will on their country, Bassam Sabbagh said.

He dismissed the latest remarks by US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stating that her statements are nothing but a repetition of what American officials have been uttering ever since the Syrian conflict broke out.

Sabbagh noted that Thomas-Greenfield’s expression of concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria flatly contradicts her country’s imposition of illegal sanctions on the Syrian people.

US adamantly pursuing hostile approach, subversive policies against Syria: Envoy

Damascus says Washington is adamantly pursuing a hostile approach and subversive policies against the Syrian government and people.

“It is hypocritical of the US ambassador to voice worries about the plight of Syrians. The remarks were made irrespective of the fact that Washington is itself sponsoring separatists and terrorists wreaking havoc in Syria’s Jazira Region, and continues to plunder the country’s national resources,” the Syrian diplomat said.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011. The Syrian government says the United States, the Israeli regime, and their Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups that are spreading insecurity in the country.

The US military has stationed forces and equipment in eastern and northeastern Syria, with the Pentagon claiming that the deployment is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.

Iran security chief: US presence in Syria biggest impediment to establishment of peace, stability in country

Iran’s top security official says US presence in Syria is the main obstacle to the establishment of peace and security in the war-torn country.

Damascus, however, says the unlawful deployment is meant to plunder the country’s resources.

Former US president Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in Syria for its oil.

After failing to oust the Syrian government with the help of its proxies and direct involvement in the conflict, the US government has now stepped up its economic war on the Arab country.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir