Shoigu calls US presence in Syria violation of international norms

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During a meeting on Friday with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called the US military presence in Syria a violation of international norms, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"The head of the Russian military department drew Akar's attention to the fact that the US military has been deployed on the territory of the sovereign state of Syria for a long time. Shoigu called their stay there a violation of international norms and stressed that militants of terrorist organizations are being trained at the US bases, such as the one in Al-Tanf," the ministry told reporters.

The minister also stated that unilateral US sanctions against Damascus are illegal and worsen the Arab country's humanitarian situation. The US military has seized several Syria regions from which they illegally extract resources, according to Shoigu.

"Shoigu, in a conversation with Akar, noted the need to maintain a ceasefire in Syria. The departments of the two countries are constantly in contact on this issue at various levels," the ministry added.

US forces in Syria

Earlier this year, a number of US soldiers were injured during an airdrop in Idlib, northern Syria.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent quoting local sources reported that four helicopters belonging to the International Coalition carried out a landing operation near the town of Atma north of Idlib, which resulted in at least 13 civilian casualties, including women and children.

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Sources added that after the failed mission, coalition soldiers targeted two homes and completely demolished them, leading to casualties.

Reuters reported quoting the Syrian Civil Defense that at least 13 people, including 6 children, were killed in confrontations after the American landing.

What was the US role in Syria?

Behind the curtains, current and former officials say that for several years, many Israeli missions have been reviewed in advance for approval by senior officials at US Central Command and the Pentagon.

This means that the formal coordination was previously unknown, and the secrecy surrounding it demonstrates how Washington has sought to support its Israeli ally.

Read next: Al-Mayadeen sources: US Military base in Al-Tanf Targeted with Missiles

The US review, according to the WSJ, mainly focuses on Israeli missions in eastern Syria that pass close to the US occupation's Al-Tanf base.

The vast majority of those Israeli airstrikes were authorized by the United States, but the officials claim the US military does not assist "Israel" in selecting its targets.

What is the US doing in Syria?

Besides being an occupation that backs armed terrorist groups for its own operations and agenda in the region, the US occupation forces continue to steal Syrian oil by smuggling it from their bases in Syria to their bases in Iraq.

Convoys of tens of vehicles, including tankers loaded with stolen oil from oil fields occupied by US forces in Syria, are frequently seen crossing toward northern Iraq, in addition to trucks loaded with military equipment.

The US interference in the war-torn Arab country continues to be exposed, from occupation to military agenda and the theft of oil.