Middle East
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad (right) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi (left) in Damascus on May 3, 2023. Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad in a joint statement on Friday demanded an end to all "illegal" military activity within Syria's borders.
"The two sides condemned all forms of illegal military presence on Syria's land which constitutes an occupation, stressing the necessity of bringing an end to it as it violates the national sovereignty of Syria and the safety of its lands," read the statement issued the day after Raisi's two-day visit to Damascus.
Syria's 12-year civil war has drawn in many international powers.
Raisi and Assad denounced Israel's strikes within Syria's borders and "continued occupation" of the Golan Heights, calling the Jewish state "a factor of instability in the region," while stressing Syria's right to respond to the attacks.
Israel rarely claims responsibility for attacks but is suspected to have carried out hundreds of airstrikes on regime-controlled areas of Syria throughout its 12-year civil war, often targeting pro-Iran militias such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, which supports the Syrian army.
The Golan Heights were previously controlled by Syria but were seized by Israel during the Six Day War in 1967 and annexed in 1981, although this is not recognized by most of the international community.
Turkey and the United States also have forces on the ground in Syria.
Turkey, with the support of its Syrian mercenaries, controls northwest Syria and it has in recent years invaded two Kurdish towns in northern Syria. The Syrian government has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the country, accusing Ankara of supporting
"terrorism," in reference to rebels.
About a thousand US troops stationed in northeast Syria are part of an international coalition that has mostly fought alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) since 2014 to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS.
The two presidents also denounced the international community's sanctions on both countries, calling for an end to the "illegal" and "inhumane" measures, and expressing concern over the approach which "harms innocent people."
Both countries are subject to heavy sanctions from the international community.
The joint statement added that Raisi has extended a formal invitation to Assad to visit Iran.
Raisi was in Damascus on Wednesday and Thursday, where the two leaders engaged in extensive political and economic discussions and reaffirmed their continued support for one another.
Iran is one of the main backers of Assad, providing him with financial and military support over the course of the conflict, aiding in propping his government against opposition forces. A number of Iran-backed militia groups are present in Syria.
Raisi's visit comes amid key regional developments as Arab nations take steps to welcome Assad back and regional foes Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to restore diplomatic ties.
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