Russia says US and UK of fostering disorder in Syria by supporting terrorist organizations
Russia has accused major Western powers, led by the United States, of persisting in their adversarial activities towards Syria. According to Russian officials, these powers are providing support to anti-Damascus militants and Takfiri terrorist organizations operating within Syrian borders.
In a statement delivered on Thursday in Moscow, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, accused the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other Western nations of instigating disorder in Syria by supporting terrorist organizations.
She stated that Western governments’ backing of terrorist organizations active in Syria is no longer a concealed matter and has been completely uncovered.
Maria Zakharova stated that efforts to undermine Syria’s statehood, sovereignty, and independence have been persistent for years by governments opposed to international peace and security. She noted that these hostile regimes have specifically targeted Syria and continue to persist in their aggressive actions.
She further emphasized that Russia’s supportive position towards Syria and its citizens has been fundamental in securing safety and stability in the West Asia region.
The comments follow airstrikes by Syrian and Russian aircraft targeting militant strongholds, as part of efforts to repel foreign-supported Takfiri extremists and anti-government insurgents in the country’s northwestern region.
The Syrian military has announced its collaboration with Russian forces and allied entities in efforts to reclaim territory and revert conditions to their previous state.
According to reports, Syrian forces have incurred significant losses on Takfiri militants through a series of operations conducted throughout the region.
According to local media sources on Thursday, the Hayat al-Tahir al-Sham (HTS) militant group and their allied forces have initiated a series of assaults on various regions within Aleppo and Idlib for a consecutive second day.
Recent reports indicate that clashes have resulted in the death of at least 60 militants. The Syrian army has confirmed that it has inflicted significant casualties on these fighters during the ongoing conflict. Additionally, approximately 40 Syrian military personnel have also been killed in the hostilities.
According to a source, the militant group reportedly employed rocket launchers and mortars to facilitate their advance towards Syrian military positions in Qabtan al-Jabal, Bala, and Sheikh Aqil, located in the western region of Aleppo.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and associated militant groups have repeatedly faced military offensives from Syrian government forces and Russian military operations. Internationally recognized as a terrorist organization, HTS, previously identified as the Nusra Front, is designated as such by Syria, Russia, and numerous other nations.
In additional comments, she stated that the unauthorized military presence of US forces in Syria has served as a pretext for supporting criminal militant groups and the appropriation of valuable resources belonging to the Arab nation.
Since 2014, the United States has stationed military personnel and equipment in Syria without obtaining authorization from the Damascus government or a mandate from the United Nations. This move has been justified by Washington under the guise of combatting the Takfiri Daesh terrorist organization.
American forces continue to maintain their presence in Syria, despite the Syrian government and its allies having declared victory over Daesh in late 2019.
The United States military has stated that its deployment in Syria is intended to secure the region’s oilfields and prevent them from being captured by Daesh forces.
Damascus continues to assert that the U.S. military presence is aimed at exploiting Syria’s natural resources. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has previously acknowledged on multiple instances that American troops are stationed in the Arab nation to access its oil reserves.
Since 2011, Syria has been embroiled in conflict, suffering from an insurgency reportedly supported by foreign powers. The Syrian government has accused Western nations and regional allies of providing assistance to terrorist factions within the country.
Russia, in collaboration with Iran, has played a significant role in supporting Syrian forces amidst ongoing conflict by predominantly offering aerial assistance to ground operations targeting foreign-backed insurgents.
