Monitoring Desk
MOSCOW: The US is trying to take control of the whole of Syrian-Turkish and Syrian-Iraqi borders, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.
Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Lavrov said: “We already draw attention to the fact that the United States have embarked on the creation of alternative authorities in large parts of Syrian territory.
“Washington carries out open, and discreet delivery of arms to Syria for transfer to those groups that cooperate with them, especially to SDF.” The U.S. actions in Syria create “either misunderstanding or deliberate provocation,” Lavrov said.
“The U.S. announced the creation of certain ‘border forces’ in Syria. Then clumsy denials followed, but the fact is they continue their attempts to take control of the border. “Either it is a misunderstanding of the whole situation, or a deliberate provocation.”
About the role of Kurds, he said: “The role of Kurds in the Syrian political process needs to be provided, but it must be ensured on a common platform: all members of the Syrian political settlement must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.”
About the French initiative to summon the UN Security Council session, Lavrov expressed concern over the prejudice to the events of the Syrian settlement.
“The minister of foreign affairs of France announced that he wants to discuss the situation in Idlib and Eastern Ghouta as well.
“Quite revealing that our western colleagues have been sounding the alarm about Eastern Ghouta and Idlib, but do not want to consider the consequences of operation in Raqqa,” Lavrov said.
Turkey rejects Syria operation limited to Afrin: Turkey is rejecting Russian media claims that the Turkish military’s operation along the Syrian border will be limited to Afrin, Foreign Ministry sources said Monday.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said Turkey has made no such commitment to Russia.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week that after Afrin has been cleared of terrorists, Turkey will expand its operations to other critical areas. “Turkey’s measures against the YPG/PKK cannot be limited to Afrin alone. There is also Manbij and east of the Euphrates River,” Cavusoglu told reporters in Vancouver, Canada.
The sources also rebuffed claims that Operation Olive Branch would hurt the Syrian peace process, saying that on the contrary, it will benefit the process.
Turkey on Saturday laun-ched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Syria’s northwestern Afrin region. According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and itself-defense rights under the UN charter.
