Addressing the U.N. General Assembly, Walid al-Moualem said his government stands with the international effort to combat the Islamic State group.
But referring to anti-government groups seen as moderate by Washington, he said backing them creates what he called "fertile ground" for the continued growth of extremism in the region.
Now in its fourth year of a deadly civil war, Syria is one of two fronts where a U.S.-led coalition is bombing extremist militants in an effort to push them back.
- Kurdish local militias in northern Syria continued to clash with Islamic State forces on Monday, defending the town of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, near the Turkish border.
- The fighting has created an exodus of Syrian Kurds into Turkey, which has strengthened its military presence on the border.
The U.S. Central Command said Sunday and Monday's strikes in Syria hit targets near Aleppo, near Raqqa, near Manbij and in Deir el Zour. The strikes hit Islamic State vehicles, an anti-aircraft artillery transport, two compounds, a training camp and a grain storage facility. The United Arab Emirates and Jordan participated in the latest round of coalition attacks.
In Iraq, the U.S. military said three airstrikes hit IS vehicles near Kirkuk, Sinjar and elsewhere in the country's northwest.
U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States "underestimated" the rise of Islamic State and other Syrian-based militants, and "overestimated" Iraq's ability to fight them.
Obama told CBS television's 60 Minutes Sunday it is a myth that if the United States had armed the moderate Syrian rebels two years ago, as some in Washington urged, Syria would be fine today.
The president blamed the situation in Iraq, in part, on former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki. Obama said the prime minister squandered an opportunity to unify the country and showed more interest in consolidating Shi'ite support than forming a unity government with the Sunnis and Kurds.
http://www.voanews.com/content/syria-criticizes-us-dual-policy-militants/2466478.html
29/9/14
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Related:
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Erdogan: Turkish troops could be used to establish secure zone in Syria
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Syrian Ambassador: Bashar Assad Backs International Strikes Against IS Militants...
ReplyDeleteSyrian President Bashar Assad has publicly announced his country's position on its readiness to work with any international efforts within the UN to eradicate Islamic State (IS) militants operating in the region and supports airstrikes against them, Syrian Ambassador to Russia Riad Haddad told RIA Novosti in an interview Tuesday.
"Syrian President Bashar Assad himself said while describing the country's position that Syria is ready to cooperate with any international efforts within the frameworks of the UN while respecting and preserving the sovereignty of other states in line with international laws, including the UN. We fully support aerial strikes anywhere that are within the legal framework, therefore, US bombings in Syria are conducted after [Syria] is informed," Haddad said.
"It is in our interest that these strikes do not extend outside the announced goals, because we have doubts that the countries that have joined this coalition earlier financed [the militants] and opened their borders for them. Therefore, we doubt any efforts if they have not received a status of legitimacy, even if they are international [efforts]. We coordinate our actions with the Russians who have proven they are brothers, as well as with the Iranians and in Iraq," he continued.
On Monday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the United States should launch an investigation into possibly unlawful airstrikes in Syria, as reports suggested deaths among civilian population. On September 25, the US government said it was looking into reports about civilian casualties in Syria caused by the airstrikes carried out against extremist groups in the country but had no proof of civilian deaths..........................http://en.ria.ru/world/20140930/193451534/Syrian-Ambassador-Syrias-Assad-Backs-International-Strikes.html
30/9/14
Syrian Crisis: U.S. Assistance and Support for the Transition (U.S. State Department)...
ReplyDeleteFact Sheet
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 29, 2014
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The United States supports the Syrian people’s struggle for a democratic, inclusive, and unified Syria. The regime of Bashar al-Assad violently suppressed what began as a peaceful protest movement in Dar’a in March 2011, and Assad has proven through his brutal and repressive tactics that he has lost all legitimacy. His continued tenure only fuels extremism and inflames tensions throughout the region.
The United Nations estimates that more than 191,000 people have been killed since the unrest and violence began three years ago. The number of civilians fleeing Syria and seeking refuge in neighboring countries has increased sharply as violence has escalated. More than 3 million people are now refugees in neighboring countries while, inside Syria, nearly 6.5 million people are displaced and nearly 11 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Despite the improved UN access following adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2165, the UN and others in the humanitarian community continue to face significant challenges reaching many people in need in Syria. Obstruction and ongoing violence by the regime, opposition, and terrorist groups are continuing to hinder the delivery of urgent, life-saving assistance to those in need inside Syria. All parties to the conflict in Syria must allow safe, unfettered access to all in need.
To help those affected by the crisis in Syria, the United States has contributed more than $2.9 billion in humanitarian assistance – the most from any single donor. These resources support international and non-governmental organizations assisting those affected by the conflict both inside Syria and across the region.
The United States is also providing $330 million in non-lethal support to the moderate Syrian opposition. This non-lethal assistance is helping the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), local opposition councils, and civil society groups provide essential services to their communities, extend the rule of law, and enhance stability inside liberated areas of Syria. These funds are also being used to provide non-lethal assistance to vetted, moderate opposition units, which are fighting both the Assad regime and violent extremist groups, notably the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), on behalf of the Syrian people.........................http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232266.htm
29/9/14