Syria warns US against unilateral airstrikes on ISIL

Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has warned the United States against carrying out airstrikes on the Takfiri ISIL terrorists inside Syria without Damascus’ consent.

He said at a news conference in Damascus on Monday that any such attack without the approval of the Syrian government would be considered as a violation of his country’s sovereignty and an act of aggression.

He also expressed Syria’s readiness to cooperate with the international community to confront terrorism.

“Syria is ready to cooperate and coordinate … [at] the regional and international level in the war on terror,” media outlets quoted Muallem as saying. “But any efforts to combat terrorism should come in coordination with the Syrian government.”
He further said Damascus must feel the cooperation is serious.

Muallem also criticized Turkey and Qatar for financing the ISIL terrorists, saying Damascus has evidence which shows that some of its neighboring countries are helping the Takfiris.

The remarks come as the ISIL is in control of some areas in Syria and has captured large swathes of land in neighboring Iraq, where Washington is currently carrying out airstrikes on their positions and is reportedly considering similar strikes against the militants in Syria.

The terror group on Sunday seized the Tabqa air base in the Syrian province of Raqqa, with reports saying that the militants had beheaded a number of Syrian soldiers and displayed them in the Raqqa provincial capital.

The ISIL terrorists are notorious for carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations and crucifixions.