US lawmakers illegally make rare visit to occupied Northwestern Syria

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Aug 2023 21:30

The United States boldly sent a convoy to occupied Syrian territories in a show of lack of respect for the integrity of the Syrian government.

US Congress delegation during their visit to northwestern Syria, on August 27, 2023 (Social Media)

A bipartisan delegation of US Congress members went to Turkish-occupied areas of northern Syria in a controversial endeavor, sending a message of a lack of regard for the Syrian government.

The delegation, consisting of Joe Wilson, Victoria Spartz, and Dean Phillips, entered Syria from Turkey through the illegal Bab Al-Salama border crossing.

Welcomed by a banner bearing the words "Welcome to Free Syria" and the flags of the US-backed "Free Syrian Army", the Congress members represent another attempt by the US to undermine Syria and its government.

The delegation's trip was cut short due to security concerns, as disclosed by an escort member. Notably, the territories controlled by the Al-Qaeda-linked terror group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) were not explored during the visit.

The White Helmets, a US-backed organization famous for its ties with terrorist groups such as HTS, posted on X that the organization's head, Raed Al Saleh, met with the US delegation.

Director of the White Helmets, Raed Al Saleh @RaedAlSaleh3, met with a delegation from the US Congress 🇺🇲 during their visit to northwestern #Syria on Sunday, August 27.
They discussed the political situation and the popular movement taking place in the Syrian regions, the… pic.twitter.com/aVSoPhTyT9
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) August 27, 2023

These territories encompass substantial sections of Idlib province, as well as neighboring regions in Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia provinces.

The United States is exploring sending aid through the Bab Al-Salama crossing rather than the HTS-controlled, also illegal, Bab Al-Hawa border crossing.

International aid such as food, water, and medicine, has been going into Syria via Turkey through the Bab Al-Hawa crossing. Last month, a United Nations initiative to extend this aid mechanism failed to garner consensus within the Security Council. Nevertheless, the UN recently announced that aid deliveries would recommence through Bab Al-Hawa.

The situation in eastern Syrian regions and towns has been marked by a growing sense of popular tribal resentment against the practices of the US military and the pro-US SDF, who have been accused of engaging in oil and gas theft, obstructing education, and imposing forced recruitment.

It was reported that villagers in Al-Hasakah with the support of Syrian soldiers stationed at a local checkpoint managed Saturday to stop a US convoy from entering their village by forming a human barrier.

Sources mentioned that the citizens also removed and tore down all US flags displayed on the back of the armored vehicles before setting them ablaze, expressing their rejection of the US occupation of their land.

Eastern regions of Syria are currently witnessing widespread public and tribal anger against the practices of the US military and the SDF militias allied with them. These practices primarily include the theft of oil and gas resources, hindrance of education, enforcement of forced conscription, and other grievances.

On March 9, the US House of Representatives rejected a resolution presented by Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, which called for the withdrawal of US forces from Syria.

Furthermore, it is notable that the US military and other foreign forces participate in the so-called "International Coalition" and occupy at least 28 declared military sites in Syria. These sites are distributed across three provinces: Al-Hasakah (17 sites), Deir Ezzor (9 sites), and Homs (2 sites).