US Combat Troops to Syria? by Stephen Lendman
Unknown numbers of US special forces operate in northern Syria illegally, aiding anti-government terrorists.
In late 2015, Lebanon’s al-Akhbar reported Washington was constructing a 2,500 millimeter-long runway for its warplanes at Abu Hajar airport in the eastern countryside of Hasaka, controlled by Kurdish YPG fighters.
US forces operate in Syria without government permission, a flagrant violation of international law.
Last November, reports indicated the Pentagon was considering possible deployment of greater numbers of special forces to northern parts of the country.
On Wednesday, CNN issued a similar report, quoting an unnamed Pentagon official, saying “(i)t’s possible that you may see conventional forces hit the ground in Syria for some period of time.”
If approved, they could arrive next month. It would represent a significant escalation of Trump’s involvement in Obama’s war, depending on the numbers sent and how they’re used.
For six years, Washington’s goal was regime change. Trump’s policy is unknown. Assad distrusts America for good reason. In contrast, Russia is a valued ally.
Separately according to Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Moscow expects Washington to pressure Kiev to observe its obligations under the Minsk accords, end its aggression, and work toward diplomatic conflict resolution.
It’s not “the subject of any deal” beyond Minsk, he said. Suggesting one “in no way corresponds to reality.” The rights of Donbass residents under attack by Ukraine’s military must be respected.
Kiev’s aggression must cease. Washington is responsible for constraining its puppet regime, operating without legitimacy, waging war on its own people.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
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