Russia protests over ‘provocative actions’ by US occupation forces in Syria
Russia has voiced its protest against “provocative actions” by US occupation forces in Syria’s northeastern Province of Hasakah, where they have been stationed for several years.
Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov, Deputy Chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, made the remarks on Friday, saying the protest has been made to the US-led coalition in Syria over the American forces’ actions in the oil-rich province.
He went on to say that Russian forces had twice spotted US troops in areas that lay outside their agreed zones of operation, without giving details of timing.
“Provocative actions on the part of US armed forces units have been noted in Hasakah Province … the Russian side lodged a protest with the coalition,” Russia's TASS news agency, quoted Gurinov as saying.
“During joint Russian-Turkish patrols, the movement of two patrols conducted by the so-called anti-terrorist coalition were tracked along the non-deconfliction routes near Deiruna-Aga and Saramsak. The Russian side has protested to the coalition,” he added.
Gurinov further stressed that the violation of the deconfliction agreements by the coalition jeopardizes the fragile balance of power in the region, adding that it will also have a negative impact on the development of the situation.
The US military has for long stationed its forces and equipment in 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.
Damascus, however, maintains the deployment is meant to plunder the country’s natural resources. Former US President Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in the Arab country for its oil wealth.
ME
