No Place for US Forces in Syria: Diplomat

A Syrian deputy foreign minister lashed out at the US for devastating the Arab country’s infrastructure by assisting Takfiri terrorists, saying the Americans will be treated as enemy forces if they avoid leaving Syria.


Any foreign presence on the Syrian soil would be unacceptable, and those willing to combat terrorism must make arrangements with the Syrian army, Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said in an interview with Al-Mayadeen TV channel on Sunday.

The US military presence in Syria is "illegal" as it has not been authorized by the Syrian government, the diplomat added, stressing that the US "should withdraw its military personnel, otherwise the Syrian army will regard them as a hostile force."

"The actions by the United States and the coalition led by it have no justification, for they are destroying Syria, killing civilians during airstrikes and destroying the economic infrastructure," TASS quoted the diplomat as  saying.

"This is in line with the terrorists’ plans but does not meet the Syrian people’s interests," Mekdad added.

He also said that "anyone who wants to fight terrorist groups should coordinate their actions with Syria and its allies."

He further described the ongoing war in Deir ez-Zor as "the last big battle."

"This city and province are very important for us, as they are located near the border with Iraq,” Mekdad added.

The Syrian army and its allies last week broke a three-year siege by the terrorists on a government-held enclave of Deir ez-Zor and an adjacent air base.

The rapid government advances, accompanied by Russian airstrikes, are squeezing the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group in its last major Syrian stronghold.
 (Tasnim)
 11/9/17