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Syrian govt. forces, locals block US military convoys in Hasakah, force them to turn back

Syrian government forces block a US military convoy in the village of al-Damkhiya, Hasakah province, northeastern Syria, on December 16, 2021 as local residents pelt the American soldiers with stones. (Photo by SANA)

Local residents of several villages in Syria’s northeastern province of Hasakah have in coordination with government forces prevented a number of US military convoys from passing through their communities.

Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that a US convoy of five armored vehicles, escorted by a vehicle belonging to US-backed Kurdish militants affiliated with the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was forced on Thursday afternoon to turn around and head back in the direction it came from after locals of the villages of al-Damkhiya and Abu Dhuwail blocked the road, and prevented its movement.

The report added that the villagers threw stones at the American convoy and chanted slogans in condemnation of US occupation forces and the SDF militants. No injuries were reported.

Separately, a US military convoy was forced to retreat after Syrian government forces and angry residents of Hamou village blocked its way.

Locals in the village of al-Qusayr also blocked a US military convoy of several armored vehicles on Thursday evening, and forced it to turn around and head towards the neighboring al-Qahtaniyah town.

The US military has stationed forces and equipment in eastern and northeastern Syria, with the Pentagon claiming that the deployment is aimed at preventing the oilfields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.

Damascus, however, says the unlawful deployment is meant to plunder the country’s resources.

Former US president Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in Syria for its oil.

After failing to oust the Syrian government with the help of its proxies and direct involvement in the conflict, the US government has now stepped up its economic war on the Arab country.

Syrians blast US killing of innocent civilian

Syrians have staged a demonstration to express their strong indignation over the massacre of innocent civilians by US occupation forces under false excuses of counter-terrorism and fighting Daesh terrorist group in the country.

“The US excuse for the frequent civilian deaths is for counter-terrorism purposes. But the truth is that the US is occupying our land in the disguise of fighting terrorism, which only brings more destruction and civilian deaths. The US acts in fact are downright invasion and occupation,” Hiba Mihrez, a female protester, said.

The protesters said, in addition to killing innocent civilians, the United States plunders Syria's rich resources in the northeastern province of Hasakah, seeking to seize everything from wheat to oil and gas.

“The regions occupied by the United States are rich in resources and economically developed. By occupying these areas, the US intends to control the economic lifeline of Syria, seriously affecting the Syrian national economy and plunging people here into dire straits, and in doing so, puts pressure on the Syrian government,” Suha Gusaini, another demonstrator, said.

On Monday, three members of the same family were killed by American military fire in Syria’s eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr, with local sources saying the US forces kidnapped residents and took them to an unknown location.

SANA said the victims lost their lives during a large-scale airdrop operation conducted by the American troops in the town al-Busayrah and its surrounding areas. The airstrike was accompanied by intense and indiscriminate shooting.

Turkish forces, allied militants shell village in northeastern Syria

Turkish forces and allied Takfiri militants have reportedly shelled residential areas in the countryside of Syria’s Hasakah province.

SANA reported that the shelling took place in al-Dardara village, which lies north of Tal Tamr town, causing damage to several houses and public properties in the area.

In recent months, Turkish-backed militants, who have maintained heavy presence in vicinity of the border areas with Turkey, have launched frequent attacks on Syrian infrastructure, residential areas and agricultural land.

Turkey has deployed forces in Syria in violation of the Arab country's territorial integrity. 

Ankara-backed militants were deployed to northeastern Syria in October 2019 after Turkish military forces launched a cross-border invasion in a declared attempt to push fighters of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) from border areas.

Ankara views the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984.

Turkey has played a major role in supporting militants in Syria ever since a major foreign-backed militancy overtook the country more than ten years ago.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other senior officials have said the Damascus government will respond through all legitimate means available to the ongoing ground offensive by Turkish forces and allied militants in the northern part of the war-battered Arab country.


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