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Syria: US Bolsters Troops as Kurdish Residents Protest Against Russian Patrols

Russian helicopter near an oil well in the countryside of Hasaka, northeastern Syria (AFP)
Russian helicopter near an oil well in the countryside of Hasaka, northeastern Syria (AFP)
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Syria: US Bolsters Troops as Kurdish Residents Protest Against Russian Patrols

Russian helicopter near an oil well in the countryside of Hasaka, northeastern Syria (AFP)
Russian helicopter near an oil well in the countryside of Hasaka, northeastern Syria (AFP)

Dozens of residents of in Malikiya countryside, northeastern Syria, protested to prevent Russian forces from advancing near their town and forced the troops to withdraw as US forces intervened and surrounded the area.

The incident, which aimed at preventing Russians from setting a military post in the area on the borders with Turkey, has provoked the Russian-US competition to establish military presence in areas east of the Euphrates.

The Russian Defense Ministry and Hmeimim base avoided commenting on the development on Monday.

According to activists, villagers of Ain Diwar halted the advancement of a Russian patrol, consisting of 11 military vehicles and prevented them from reaching an area in which a military post was supposed to be established.

Sources explained that the patrol was supported by helicopters, which flew at low altitude, to scare the protesters who insisted on their demands and called on the patrol's commander to leave the area immediately.

The commander tried to speak with the civilians and inform them that his troops will remain for two weeks only to train regime forces, field sources noted, affirming that his attempts had failed to convince the residents.

The sources said that the US forces interfered and closed all roads on the Russian patrol, noting that a US helicopter flew and chased two Russian helicopters.

US forces had repeatedly intercepted Russian attempted patrols along the international road, starting from their bases in or near the cities of Qamishli, Tel Tamr and Kobane.

In light of its understandings with Turkey, Moscow has reinforced its military presence around areas under the control of Syrian Democratic Forces near the Turkish borders, but the US forces prevent it from moving freely.

The Russian withdrawal was met with the reinforcement of US troops in the region.

Reports said that a US patrol consisting of Bradley and other military vehicles stationed in the village of Gir Ziro village met with the residents and remained there for some time before returning to its base in Rmelan.

Press sources also pointed out that the incident revealed the resentment of residents following recent Russian statements, in which it warned against Washington’s actions in the eastern Euphrates region.

“US actions in the Euphrates region create an explosive situation around the Kurdish problem, the consequences for the region can be catastrophic,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had recently stated.

“The situation on the Eastern Bank of the Euphrates is a cause for concern, where the US military illegally stationed there clearly encourages the separatist tendencies of the Kurds,” he stressed.

Americans are inciting the Kurds against the Syrian government, hindering the Kurds’ natural desire to start a dialogue with Damascus, Lavrov added.

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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
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Lavrov: Moscow Maintains Communication with Damascus, Will Not Withdraw from the Region

Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)
Syrian forces stop a car at a checkpoint after taking control of the port of Tartus earlier this month. (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, stating that Moscow “has not and will not withdraw from the region.” He emphasized ongoing communication with Syria’s new leadership and expressed readiness to support the political process in the country.

Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov attributed Syria’s deteriorating situation to the previous regime, blaming its unwillingness to implement reforms and share power with the opposition.

“The refusal of the former Syrian regime to make any changes or share power with the opposition was one of the primary reasons for its collapse,” he said.

Lavrov noted that over the past decade, since President Bashar al-Assad requested Russian intervention in the Syrian war and the launch of the Astana peace process, Damascus had delayed advancing the political path.

“Despite support from Arab nations, Syrian authorities showed reluctance to move forward politically and sought to maintain the status quo,” he explained.

He highlighted Russia’s repeated calls for the Syrian government to engage with the Constitutional Committee, established during the 2018 Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, and to actively work on drafting a new constitution.

Lavrov also pointed to economic challenges exacerbated by sanctions, which have stifled Syria’s economy, and US control over oil-rich eastern regions. Resources were exploited to fuel separatist ambitions in northeastern Syria, he remarked.

Moreover, the FM revealed details of Moscow’s earlier discussions with Kurdish groups, reiterating his country’s position that Kurdish rights should be guaranteed within the constitutional frameworks of Syria, Iraq, Iran and Türkiye.

He argued that the previous Syrian regime’s reluctance to engage in political dialogue resulted in stalled reforms proposed by the United Nations, Moscow and Cairo platforms, and Istanbul-based opposition groups. This inaction, he said, created a vacuum that ultimately led to the collapse.

Furthermore, he dismissed claims that his country’s withdrawal from Syria would signal its departure from the Middle East.

“Russia has not and will not leave the region,” he declared. Without directly addressing the status of Russian military bases in Syria, Lavrov emphasized: “Our embassy never left Damascus, and we maintain ongoing communication with the authorities.”

He also stressed Russia’s willingness to facilitate inclusive dialogue involving all national, political and sectarian factions, as well as relevant international stakeholders. Lavrov underscored that recent discussions with Türkiye, Gulf nations, and other parties demonstrated widespread agreement that Russia and Iran must be involved in the Syrian peace process if sustainable results are to be achieved.

For his part, Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed Russia’s focus on developments in Syria, describing relations with Damascus as a “priority of Russian foreign policy.”

Reports on Tuesday suggested that Bogdanov might soon lead a Russian delegation to Damascus. However, a Russian diplomatic source informed Asharq Al-Awsat that no date for the visit has been confirmed. The visit, which was reportedly postponed, would mark the first by a senior Russian official to Damascus since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.

Meanwhile, media reports indicated that Moscow is facing logistical challenges in withdrawing military equipment from Syria, due to restrictions imposed by Syrian authorities on the movement of Russian ships in territorial waters.

According to the English-language edition of RT, the Russian ship Sparta 2, designated to transport military equipment and weapons, was denied entry to the Port of Tartus, where Russia maintains its only overseas naval base.