Russia to Respond Appropriately to US-Led Coalition’s Move of Forming New Armed Group in Syria: Shamanov

MOSCOW, (ST)- Head of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee Vladimir Shamanov has stressed that Russia will respond appropriately to the US-led coalition’s move of forming a new armed group in Syria called the “Border Security Force” (BSF).

Novosti news agency quoted Shamanov as saying on Sunday that the United States’ procedure of establishing a new armed force in Syria with the aid of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) contradicts Russia’s interests and it will adopt suitable response towards this act.

 The US-led coalition had announced its intention to form a new armed group in northeastern Syria that consists of 30,000 gunmen.

 The practices of the United States, which is leading an international coalition allegedly against Daesh, contradict the Russian interests in Syria, Shamanov said, pointing out that Russia will work in cooperation with its partners to take necessary procedures as to establish stability in Syria,” Shamanov added.

“The Coalition is working jointly with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to establish and train the new Syrian Border Security Force (BSF). Currently, there are approximately 230 individuals training in the BSF’s inaugural class, with the goal of a final force size of approximately 30,000,” according to the coalition’s representative, Sputnik reproted.

The coalition’s plans and support for SDF have fueled Ankara’s resentment and described the new move as unacceptable.

The new force will be deployed at Syria’s northern border with Turkey, southeastern border with Iraq and along the Euphrates River Valley, the line which separates the SDF and Syrian government forces, Sputnik said.

Hamda Mustafa