US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the recent removal of sanctions on senior Syrian officials should “help give the Syrian people that greatest chance,” adding that “now is Syria’s chance at greatness” following the de-listing of Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas al-Khattab.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, responding to Rudaw during a press briefing about whether increased international recognition of the transitional government could be linked to the uptick in attacks on the SDF, said that “the issue of recognition is a bilateral issue,” but stressed that “the government in Damascus has a responsibility to protect all of its people.”
Rudaw contacted the US Mission to the UN on Monday for comment on whether Washington sees a connection between its new diplomatic steps and the attacks on SDF forces, but did not receive a response.
The SDF said late Sunday that groups aligned with Damascus targeted one of its outposts in Deir ez-Zor province, “seriously” injuring a fighter. This followed another incident on Saturday when SDF positions were reportedly attacked with “drones and suicide drones,” prompting SDF units to return fire.
The Kurdish-led force serves as the de facto military of northeast Syria (Rojava) and remains the principal local ally of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS). The Syrian transitional government joined the coalition earlier this month.
Syrian President Sharaa met US President Donald Trump earlier this month at the White House - the first visit by a Syrian leader to the Oval Office. Days earlier, the US Treasury formally removed Sharaa and Interior Minister Khattab from its terrorist designation list.
Washington also lifted several sanctions in June to support Syria’s reconstruction, marking a significant shift in US policy.
The escalation in Deir ez-Zor comes as SDF and Damascus continue negotiations on implementing a March agreement to integrate the SDF into the national army.
SDF officials recently said there has been a “softening” in the transitional government’s stance, but no breakthrough has been reported.
Namo Abdulla contributed to this article from New York.
