Middle East

Iran slams US plan for ‘border security force’ in Syria

Tehran decries US ‘interference’ in other countries’ domestic affairs

16.01.2018 - Update : 16.01.2018
Iran slams US plan for ‘border security force’ in Syria Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Kasimi

By Khalilur Rahman Salahshoor and Mustafa Melih Ahishali

ISTANBUL

Iran on Tuesday criticized U.S. plans to draw up a “border security force” inside Syria, describing the move as “interference in another country’s domestic affairs”.

On Sunday, U.S.-led coalition spokesman Ryan Dillon announced plans to establish a 30,000-strong border security force in Syria in tandem with the SDF -- a U.S.-backed group drawn up largely of PKK/PYD terrorist elements.

The PKK/PYD is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK terrorist group, which has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Since the mid-1980s, the PKK has waged a wide-ranging terror campaign against the Turkish state, in which an estimated 40,000 people have been killed.

"U.S. plans to establish a ‘border security force’ in Syria constitute flagrant interference in another country’s affairs,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Kasimi said in a Tuesday statement.

“Along with complicating the situation in Syria, this decision will only serve to further destabilize the country," he added.

According to Kasimi, Iran -- along with Turkey and Russia -- is striving to end the years-long conflict in Syria by promoting dialogue and establishing cease-fires.

The spokesman also called on the U.S. to withdraw all its forces from Syria at the earliest possible opportunity.

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