Criminal U.S. Raid Against SyriaOn February 3, President Biden announced that the U.S. had carried out a raid in northwestern Syria. The U.S. is not at war with Syria. Besides the raid being unconscionable, such raids are illegal, contrary to international law and unacceptable violations of Syria's sovereignty. The U.S. has usurped the role of judge, jury and executioner and justifies such attacks in the name of fighting terrorism. In this case, Biden said the raid targeted an ISIS leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi.
In a disgusting show of hubris, Biden threatened: "This operation is testament to America's reach and capability to take out terrorist threats no matter where they try to hide anywhere in the world... Last night's operation took a major terrorist leader off the battlefield. And it sent a strong message to terrorists around the world: We will come after you and find you." In fact, this is a further indication that the U.S. makes the rules, decides who is and who is not a terrorist and uses tactics which blow up women, children and other civilians claiming they are dispensable collateral damage. It is also evidence of U.S. desperation and of the character of its "rules-based order" which is based on issuing threats in the hopes it will achieve submission and surrender. In Biden's mind, he may even think he is sending a warning to Russia to watch out. In any case, it is not about terrorists at all, but directed against any who stand up against U.S. aggression and occupation. This also violates United Nations standards and international law, which is also U.S. law, which prohibits aggression and interference in other countries' internal affairs and upholds the sovereignty of nations. The people of Syria have successfully blocked U.S. efforts at regime change, which include funding, arming and protecting various internal pro-U.S. forces. The Syrians -- not the U.S. -- are also the ones who have blocked and defeated ISIS in most of their country. They are an ancient people, with high moral standards and a strong culture of resistance. The U.S. knew that many women and children were in the building when it carried out the raid. They knew it but did so anyway. The U.S. claims al-Qurayshi caused the casualties by detonating a blast strong enough to blow up an entire floor but there is no evidence of that. The U.S. also says it removed another eight children from the site, making at least 14 children present when the U.S. launched the raid, since at least six were killed. "Our forces carried out the operation with their signature preparation and precision, and I directed the Department of Defense to take every precaution possible to minimize civilian casualties," Biden said.
The bottom line is that whatever people at the compound did or did not do, it is the U.S. that conducted the raid and is responsible for the killings. Reality shows the worldwide U.S. war of terrorism with its illegal and unjust drone strikes and Special Operations raids, many against Syria, has solved no problem. U.S. actions have deepened the state of anarchy and violence which prevails, has brought untold deaths and destruction and forced people from their homes to become refugees. This latest action is no different. Besides other things, Biden said that the U.S. has known for months about al-Qurayshi, stating "I want to commend our dedicated intelligence community, the Department of Defense, and members of our national security team throughout the government whose meticulous and tireless work over the course of many months ensured that this mission succeeded." The Pentagon says Biden was briefed on the operation more than a month ago and again more recently. The question must be asked, why now? The raid took place in the context of repeated U.S. provocations and threats against Russia in the name of "defending" Ukraine. These include moving warships and bombers to the area and together with NATO stationing more troops and missiles in the region. Biden also put 8,500 U.S. troops on heightened alert. Then on February 2, a day before the raid, Biden approved sending 3,000 more troops to be stationed in Poland, Romania and Germany. Poland and Romania both border Ukraine. These troops are in addition to the more than 35,000 U.S. troops already in Germany. The U.S. also still has 1,000 troops in Syria Unlike the U.S. which has more than 750 military bases worldwide and an estimated 200,000 troops stationed abroad, Russia only has a base in the western part of Syria. It includes a main air base in Hmeimim and the naval port of Tartus. The U.S. raid was carried out further north, in the western part of the country. The timing is hardly a coincidence but rather part of U.S. threats and provocations against Russia. All the focus on opposing terrorism is a means to hide this and hide U.S. responsibility for its many crimes against Syria and dangerous war games against Russia. Diplomacy, as Russia and peoples in the U.S. and worldwide have been calling for, is required.
This article was published in Article Link:   Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca |
According to
reports, the attack involved helicopters and U.S. Special Forces on the
ground. Numerous explosions were reported. The U.S. considers the
operation a "success" because there were no U.S. casualties and
al-Qurayshi was killed. Other reports indicate that at least 13
civilians including six children and four women were also killed,
bodies scattered everywhere, and a building and surrounding olive grove
decimated.
The world is very
familiar with U.S. precautions. Drone attacks and raids by Special
Forces have killed whole wedding parties and an untold numbers of
civilians and the U.S. always denies responsibility. The latest example
was the drone attack against civilians in Afghanistan during the
chaotic U.S. evacuation. Even Pentagon head Lloyd Austin, speaking
about the raid against Syria, admitted, "Given the complexity of this
mission, we will take a look at the possibility our actions may also
have resulted in harm to innocent people."