Syria says US, Turkish troops must withdraw 'immediately'

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Syria has demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from its territories and stated that it reserves the right to take action if they remain inside the country.

"The United States and Turkey maintain an illegal military presence in northern Syria," Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday.

"Any foreign forces operating in our territories without our authorisation are occupying forces and should withdraw immediately," he said.

Syria's devastating eight-year civil war has drawn numerous foreign militaries and thousands of foreign fighters battling for power.

While most of the country has been retaken by the government, armed rebels still hold Idlib in the northwest, and the oil-rich northeast, which is held by US-backed Kurdish groups.

"Tens of thousands of foreign terrorist fighters have been brought to Syria from more than 100 countries with the support and cover of states that are known to all," he added.

The Syrian minister added that these countries were using "terrorism" as a "tool to impose their insidious agendas on the people and governments that reject their external dictates".

The war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since 2011, triggering an unprecedented refugee crisis.

'No deadline'
Al-Muallem told the UNGA that "no deadline" should be imposed on a new constitutional committee announced on Monday, insisting that it be run entirely by Syria with no preconditions set by other countries.

"The committee must be independent. Its recommendations must be made independently, without interference from any country or party," he said.

His comments came in the light of a UN document released on Saturday showing that the new committee is mandated to either amend Syria's current constitution or write an entirely fresh one.

Al Jazeera's diplomatic editor at the UN, James Bays, said the constitutional committee will include 150 people - 50 from the Syrian government, 50 from the opposition, and a further 50 chosen by the UN and members of the Syrian civil society.

In addition to this, Bays said there will be an even smaller group that will do the actual negotiations with 45 members - 15 from each of the three groups.

The document adds that once the process of drafting the constitution is completed, "free and fair elections" will be held in Syria under the supervision of the world body.

The committee was negotiated by the UN's envoy to the war-torn country, Geir Pedersen, and has been accepted by the Syrian government and opposition.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from outside the UN headquarters, Pedersen said he "guarantees" that the election will be "based on the aspirations" of the Syrian people.

"This is Syrians sitting together for the first time after eight and a half years working on their own constitution," he said.

Pedersen said his mandate was to make sure all Syrians are allowed to vote in a free and fair election - including the diaspora - under UN supervision.

Bays said that al-Muallem's comments at the UNGA suggest the Syrian government is already trying to "work out how it might try and stop free and fair elections".

A first meeting of the committee, which took almost two years to negotiate, has been scheduled for October 30 in Geneva, the UN document said.

source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019...ops-withdraw-immediately-190928180239705.html

 

[Mr.NiceGuy]

Ok yeah sure...

Fcking retarded.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Syria has demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from its territories and stated that it reserves the right to take action if they remain inside the country.

Really? lol

 

[Mrc]

Turks should just carve out a larger chunk where all the refugees can b settled

 

[mustafa erkan]

First take back 4 million refugees to syria and stop killing them ,accept political solution than we may withdraw otherwise no one can say it to us.

 

[azyr]

Posturing. Syria is reminding everyone that a government exists and has the capability to make demands (though no capability to back them up).

Because for anyone following the war it looks like there are Kurds / Rebels / US / Russia and Turkey there with Iran trying to get a foothold. You wouldn't think the government actually existed until they reminded you with hit pieces like this.

 

[jamahir]

But Turkey government calls it forces in Syria as "peace-keeping" forces.

Really? lol

What is so LOL about a reasonable demand ??

accept political solution than we may withdraw otherwise no one can say it to us.

In general, you are saying that Erdogan would be right in asking for a Muslim Brotherhood government in Syria.

 

[mike2000 is back]

What is so LOL about a reasonable demand ??

Syria has demanded the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from its territories and stated that it reserves the right to take action if they remain inside the country.

That will mean even Russia, Hezbollah, Iran and the countless shia militias groups from Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc will also have to leave as well. Not feasible, even if Assad wanted them to. Nobody comes to 'help' you in geo politics for nothing, you will have to pay in kind, since they are all there for their own interests as well. So Assad will have to carve out Syria to his saviours. No free lunch in this world

 

[Ahmad Bhutta]

Turkey needs to build nuclear bombs asap so it won't be bullied by any country and can dictate and retrieve its foreign colonies

 

[mike2000 is back]

Posturing. Syria is reminding everyone that a government exists and has the capability to make demands (though no capability to back them up).

Because for anyone following the war it looks like there are Kurds / Rebels / US / Russia and Turkey there with Iran trying to get a foothold. You wouldn't think the government actually existed until they reminded you with hit pieces like this.

If Assad didn't make such remarks once in a while, then people will forget that Syria still has a government actually.

 

[azyr]

But Turkey government calls it forces in Syria as "peace-keeping" forces.



What is so LOL about a reasonable demand ??



In general, you are saying that Erdogan would be right in asking for a Muslim Brotherhood government in Syria.

Well all in all, Syria has to be able to control her territories and maintain basic infrastructure to be able to make demands. Currently she doesn't have any control over anything - including the parts that are controlled by the SAA. It's a Russia vs US proxy game in the south, and Turkey vs the SDF/US on the northern front.

Syria wants Turkey out? Alright, first provide proof that they can take back the 5million Syrians that fled to Turkey and actually provide for them. Next, provide proof that the areas Turkey will concede back to the Syrian government isn't overrun (for the millionth time) by Terrorist groups that use this area to stage attacks on Turkish soil.

Currently, Syrian government can't even stop attacks from Tal-abyad (spelling?) that she controls.

So yea, this isn't going to work.

 

[dBSPL]

The regime established a joint committee with the opposition and agreed to the establishment of a constitutional commission. In other words, in order to stop this war, they learned this cant be with demolish all country and they accepted the legitamacy of the opponents over the country.

It's not hard to understand what that means.

There are two wings of the peace talks in Geneva: current Regime and Syrian National Council. Both represent half of the country.

The population of Syria was 21 million. About 5 million Syrians left the country. More than half a million people were killed or crippled. 3 million Syrians emigrated from under bombs to different parts of the country and living in tents because they dont want to live under Assad's brutal rule. In Idlib, East of the Euphrates and in the North of Aleppo, people do not want regime forces without a new constitution and election.

Turkey, will not withdraw until the constitutional talks in Syria will succeed and election will take place. Whole operation is based on legitimate reasons under international law.

 

[jamahir]

That will mean even Russia, Hezbollah, Iran and the countless shia militias groups from Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc will also have to leave as well. Not feasible, even if Assad wanted them to.

The groups or countries you mentioned are present in Syria with the consent of the legitimate Syrian government and the patriotic Syrian citizens.

I am sure if Assad asks them to leave, they will.

Nobody comes to 'help' you in geo politics for nothing, you will have to pay in kind, since they are all there for their own interests as well. So Assad will have to carve out Syria to his saviours. No free lunch in this world

Yes.

For example, Russia is in Syria because it ( Russia ) would be more comfortable with the Ba'ath movement government Syria instead of NATO-desired Muslim Brotherhood.

Alright, first provide proof that they can take back the 5million Syrians that fled to Turkey and actually provide for them

I am sure that any indication that the war has ended, will bring back most of the refugees back to Syria.

Next, provide proof that the areas Turkey will concede back to the Syrian government isn't overrun (for the millionth time) by Terrorist groups that use this area to stage attacks on Turkish soil.

Who are you talking about ??

because they dont want to live under Assad's brutal rule.

Can you give example about Assad's brutal rule ??

 

[mike2000 is back]

The groups or countries you mentioned are present in Syria with the consent of the legitimate Syrian government and the patriotic Syrian citizens.

I am sure if Assad asks them to leave, they will.

LOL You said if Assad asked them to leave they will park now and leave after expending themselves over there for all these years? If you really believe that then its quite naive of you to be honest. You think they came there for charity? lol Syrian government doesn't even have control of the country per se. It's Russia and Iran(with its shia proxies/militias) who are the real deal makers in Syria, Assad cant do shit without their approval, they are the ones keeping him in power and he knows that. So you think if he asks them to leave they will voluntarily leave no questions asked? lol Geo politics is not a moral game bro. You see things too simple, nothing is black and white in this game and there is no morality in Geo politics as i said before. once you get involved in this game you have to insert yourself in dirty business else you don't get involve. None of these actors are moral or there for 'help/charity' but to profit from the country and further their selfish interests(which geo politically speaking is normal to be honest), so they wont be leaving Syria completely anytime soon. Expect a long presence even after the war, same way Assad and his military were occupying Lebanon until the killing of Hariri and Lebanese rising up to oust them. it wasn't for Charity but for Assad's own interests and control over Lebanon. Geo politics is a dirty business as i said before.

Yes.

For example, Russia is in Syria because it ( Russia ) would be more comfortable with the Ba'ath movement government Syria instead of NATO-desired Muslim Brotherhood.

Its simply because Russia wants a puppet they can better control and maintain their military base in Syria and have access to the Mediterranean sea where they can further project power from. It has nothing to do with love for Assad or the baath party, even if the Muslim brotherhood was subservient and pro Russia, then expect Russia to be favourable to them and not opposed their take over of Syria. Its all about Russia's own interests, they couldn't care less about Shia/sunni affiliated militias groups nonsense of KSA and Iran. If anything they are the most orthodox christian country in Europe with strong christian beliefs/culture. So they couldn't care less about this muslim groups/militias bullshit. its all about who will be their puppet in the region and maintain their influence, interests, control and military bases in the country full stop. i don't blame them though, its normal every country is looking out for themselves.

 

[jamahir]

Its simply because Russia wants a puppet they can better control and maintain their military base in Syria and have access to the Mediterranean sea where they can further project power from.

While the underlined is true, it would be incorrect to call Assad as Russia's puppet. He is a strong-willed man. As indication, one just has to watch his interviews.

It has nothing to do with love for Assad or the baath party, even if the Muslim brotherhood was subservient and pro Russia, then expect Russia to be favourable to them and not opposed their take over of Syria.

While that is theoretically correct, the MB group will never be pro-Russia, unless Russia has been taken over by a pro-NATO government.

nothing is black and white in this game and there is no morality in Geo politics as i said before.

Well, when the USSR existed, for the most part, the world could see binaries.