After US strikes, Damascus says US occupation of Syrian territory ‘cannot continue’

Syria’s government says the US occupation of Syrian territory “cannot continue” after Washington carried out deadly strikes.

The overnight attacks killed “a number of civilians and soldiers, wounded others, and caused significant damage to public and private property”, the Syrian military said in a statement.

“The occupation of parts of Syrian territory by US forces cannot continue,” it added, affirming the army’s “determination to liberate all Syrian territory from terrorism and occupation”.

The United States has some 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in neighbouring Iraq as part of an international coalition against the armed group ISIL (ISIS) – a force that once controlled swathes

of both countries.

US attacks fuelling conflict in ‘very dangerous way’: Syria

Map of military control across Syria at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023

Syria’s foreign ministry has condemned the overnight US air strikes against more than 85 targets in Syria and Iraq.

Washington says its military conducted attacks on establisments linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the fighters it backs.

UK says US a ‘steadfast’ ally after strikes in Iraq and Syria

Britain said it supports Washington’s right to respond to attacks after the US military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran-linked targets.

“The UK and US are steadfast allies. We wouldn’t comment on their operations, but we support their right to respond to attacks,” a British government spokesperson said in a statement.

“We have long condemned Iran’s destabilising activity throughout the region, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant groups.”

Source :

Al Jazeera