“The US occupation of parts of Syrian territory represents a flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and the unity and integrity of its territories… The US’ support for its proxy separatist militias represents a cheap tool to implement its hostile plans against Syria,” read a statement from the Syrian foreign ministry.
The ministry blamed the SDF and American forces for the recent violence in Deir ez-Zor, which led to civilian casualties.
The SDF, however, put the blame on the Syrian government.
On Wednesday, pro-regime National Defense Forces launched an overnight attack in Deir ez-Zor killing at least two civilians, according to the SDF. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the SDF’s political wing, blamed Damascus.
On Friday, at least 11 civilians were killed in a barrage of rockets and artillery shells that targeted Deir ez-Zor’s Dahalah village, according to the SDF, who again blamed pro-regime forces for the attack.
The Syrian foreign ministry said the strike was carried out by US warplanes, with the support of the SDF.
“Syria calls on the United States of America to stop these practices, withdraw immediately from Syrian territory, and respect the will of the Syrians who reject the presence and role of such separatist militias,” the ministry said.
The SDF announced on Saturday that two of its members were killed in clashes with pro-regime forces.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations, highlighted the plight of civilians in the key province. On Thursday, he said that residents of Deir ez-Zor are suffering from severe food and water shortages, as well as a lack of medical services, due in part to conflict-damaged infrastructure.
Syrian state media reported that the SDF has blocked deliveries of food and water into the Security Square in Hasaka for the past four days. Hasaka is controlled by the Kurdish-led forces but a small part of the city, known as the Security Square where regime institutions are located, is under the control of Damascus.
Twenty tankers of water from the International Committee of the Red Cross entered central Hasaka city on Saturday, according to Governor Louay Sayyouh.
About a thousand US troops stationed in northeast Syria are part of an international coalition that has mostly fought alongside the SDF since 2014 to ensure the lasting defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Control of Deir ez-Zor province, which borders Iraq, is split between the SDF and the Iran-backed Syrian regime. It is also home to many of the country’s key oilfields, such as Omar and Conoco, which the global coalition helps the SDF control.
