Lavrov: US Plans to Isolate Vast Part of Syria

MOSCOW- Washington is seeking to isolate and cut off a vast part of Syria’s territory, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Euronews television channel on Friday.

“They [the United States] seem to be seeking to isolate a vast part of the Syrian territory from the rest of the country in violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said, according to Itar Tass.

 US forces illegally staying in Syria

“A US taskforce and other units are illegally staying in Syria, without any invitation from Damascus (the legitimate government) or a United Nations Security Council mandate,” he added.

“Obviously, the United States has some strategy, which, I think, is geared to keep its military presence in Syria forever,” he noted. “They are seeking to do the same in Iraq and in Afghanistan, in spite of all their previous promises.”

The Russian Foreign Minister has stressed that Washington has deployed its forces in Syria without a mandate from the United Nations or a request from the legitimate Syrian government in Damascus.

Lavrov’s interview follows a statement from Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who said on Thursday that the US had, in fact, created an “occupation” zone in the al-Tanf area. She added the US-controlled area was used by the remains of Daesh militants.

H.M