US-UK directing attacks on Russian military bases in Syria: SVR
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The Russian Intelligence Service has revealed US-UK plots to further destabilize Syria and the region through continuous occupation and attacks on Russian military bases.
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US military vehicle is seen on a patrol in the countryside near the town of Qamishli, Syria, on December 4, 2022. (AP)
The United States and the United Kingdom are preparing terrorist attacks against Russian military bases in Syrian territory, Sputnik reported on Saturday, citing statements issued by the press bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
According to the SVR, ISIL field commanders have been supplied with attack drones to target Russian military bases in Syria, further stating that the outgoing US administration and British leadership aim to hinder efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria.
"According to information received by the SVR, the outgoing US administration and the British leadership, with the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, are aiming to prevent the stabilization of the situation in this country. More broadly, they aim to maintain a state of chaos in the Middle East," the report read.
The aim, according to the SVR, is to maintain US-UK dominance and achieve their geopolitical objectives in the region "based on the odious concept of a rules-based order." However, the bigger plot is challenged by the Russian presence on the Mediterranean coast of Syria, which still majorly preserves regional stability.
The statement also indicated that the United States plans to continue occupying Syria's oil-rich regions east of the Euphrates River under the pretext of fighting ISIS, emphasizing that Washington has no intention of leaving these areas.
Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Russia reported that Washington and London aim to secure the withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, hoping that their provocations will compel Moscow to evacuate its military personnel.
DoD claims to have 'just recently learned' of US doubling Syria forces
The US has revealed that its military presence in Syria has more than doubled, with a Pentagon spokesperson acknowledging that around 2,000 US troops are now deployed, rather than the previously reported 900.
For years, the Pentagon had claimed that approximately 900 troops were stationed in Syria, a figure repeated even after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad on December 8.
However, during a press briefing on Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated, “We recently learned that those numbers [are] higher.” He explained that the delay in disclosure was due to "diplomatic and operational security sensitivities."
Ryder clarified that the additional troops had been in Syria for "at a minimum, months" on a rotational basis and that this has been an ongoing situation. He emphasized that the increase in forces was a matter of coincidence, asserting that “these additional forces are considered temporary rotational forces that deploy to meet shifting mission requirements,” while the core 900 troops are on longer-term deployments.
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