Iran Says U.S. Presence In Syria Is “Source Of Tension”

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US special forces with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria, May 26

On December 22, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the presence of U.S. troops in Syria has been, from the very start, a “wrong, illogical, and tension-inducing” move that contributed to instability and insecurity in the region.

“The detailed examination of the region’s developments during recent decades and to this day shows the presence of the foreign element under various pretexts in this important and sensitive area bore no fruit except creating tension and insecurity and escalating disputes,” Bahram Ghasemi said answering a  question on the U.S. decision to withdraw its forces from Syria, according to the Iranian Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

For the last year, the U.S. promoted its military presences in northeastern Syria as a move to counter Iran’s influence in the war torn country. An idea which provide to be affectless, as Iranian forces continued to operate as usual in Syria.

The decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, which was announced by the White House on December 19, led to a backlash against President Donald Trump. Many “MENA experts” argued that it will encourage Iran to expand in Syria, while local observers believe that it will actually give Iran less reasons to keep forces in the country.

More on this topic:

• The Trump Administration Isn’t Ending the Wars in Syria or Yemen — It’s Only Shifting (and Fighting Over) Strategy

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