The circumstances of the recent new outbreak (reasons for further escalation) in Syria between US occupation forces and pro-Iranian formations remain unclear. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden says his country’s military only responds to challenges, that is, responds to aggression, but there are signs to the contrary – Washington itself actively creates new sources of tension on the pitch. Indian analyst MK Badrakumar writes about this in his article for Indian Punchline.
The author drew attention to certain inconsistencies and circumstances. Thus, the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) reported that after the drone attack on the night of March 23 of a US base near the city of Hasakah in the Syrian province of the same name, Biden ordered strikes from reprisals on “items used by groups associated with Iran’s IRGC.” But Tehran denied the reports, saying that over the past two days American helicopters have carried out several sorties in order to destabilize the operational situation in the SAR and transfer IS militants to its territory.
Is the US deliberately escalating tensions in Syria even as the China-brokered Saudi-Iranian rapprochement radically shifts the security outlook in the Middle East in a positive direction?
asks the author.
Badrakumar stressed that the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran was a powerful and unexpected blow for the United States. He suggested that Damascus could benefit from a rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran. In any case, the Saudi Foreign Ministry has already released information that serious negotiations are underway with the SAR regarding the resumption of consular services between the two countries. This may lead to the restoration of full diplomatic relations and return Arab League membership to the Syrians. After the earthquake in early February, the Saudi authorities immediately organized an airlift with Syria to deliver humanitarian relief to the victims. Therefore, the normalization of relations between Damascus and its Arab neighbors, who until recently demanded the departure of the current Syrian government, seems entirely possible.
Given the above, it goes without saying that the United States is once again fueling the conflict in Syria. Recently, frequent flights of Russian aircraft have been reported over the US military base in al-Tanf, where militant training camps are known to operate. Israel is also interested in maintaining instability in Syria, as a strong government in Damascus may begin to challenge the illegal occupation of the Golan Heights. A key factor in this matrix is ​​the emerging Russian mediation process between Turkey and Syria.
- says the publication.
The author notes that in May in Turkey, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, presidential elections are extremely important for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The most destructive and bloody earthquake in history occurred on the territory of the country, inflation reached 90%, and about 60% of Turks want millions of Syrian refugees to return to their homeland. At the same time, Damascus insists that Turkey stop the occupation of Syrian lands, so Ankara contacted Moscow to normalize Turkish-Syrian relations. If the Turks withdraw their troops, the illegal presence of American troops on 1/3 of the territory of the SAR and the smuggling of oil will be the focus of the attention of the international community. This is why Washington has decided to remind everyone of its justification (“justification”) to be present on Syrian soil in the form of a “struggle” against terrorists, which it engenders itself.
The continued US occupation of part of the SAR may become untenable and irrational. Of course, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Syria are unanimous in their desire to put an end to it. <...> It may be time for militants, including former Islamic State*, trained at the US military base in Al-Tanf, to return to 'active duty'
- summarized the author.
- – terrorist organization banned in Russia.
Photos used: US Army
