Moscow and Damascus accuse US of occupying Syrian territory

01 March 2021

 

The United States continues to strike Syria and occupy its territories, according to a joint statement by Mikhail Mizintsev, the Head of Russia's National Defense Management Center, and Hussein Makhluf, the Minister of Municipal Administration and Ecology of Syria.

 

"The United States is carrying out air strikes on the territory of the sovereign Syrian state and continues to illegally occupy its territories. At the same time, there is not even a hint of restoring a safe and dignified peaceful life in the areas under their control," the statement said.

 

The parties also noted that the US is continuing its "inhumane sanctions policy against the long-suffering people of Syria".

 

In addition, Mizintsev and Makhluf reported, Washington is putting pressure on the countries in the region with the largest number of Syrian refugees, forcing the intimidation of refugees by the difficult domestic political and socio-economic situation at home and the numerous problems arising for those returning to Syria.

 

At the same time, the statement noted, interagency coordination headquarters of Russia and Syria are making every effort to restore peaceful life in the country and help Syrian citizens to return home voluntarily and safely.

 

According to the authorities, to date, more than 2.2 million refugees have already returned to their places of chosen residence. The Syrian government, the document indicates, is taking all possible measures to create decent living conditions, new jobs, restoration of infrastructure and social facilities.

 

Particular attention is paid to anti-epidemic measures and the reconstruction of medical institutions. "Medical centers are reopened in the provinces with all necessary equipment, including refrigerated units for storing medicines, mobile operating rooms, ambulances and uninterrupted power generators," the document said.

 

The Pentagon reported on February 26 that the US struck several buildings on the Syrian-Iraqi border that were used by a number of Iranian-backed paramilitary groups. The move, the Pentagon noted, was a response to recent attacks on US and coalition troops in Iraq.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Creative Commons

Based on materials from RIA Novosti