12 family members die in US-led Syria strike
REGIME SAYS AMERICAN FORCES MUST LEAVE TANF BASE IN SOUTH
At least 12 civilians — members of the same family — have been killed in USled coalition raids on Daesh in northeastern Syria, a monitor said yesterday.
“The air strikes and artillery fire (Friday night) by the international coalition on the village of Hidaj, held by Daesh in the southern sector of Hasakeh province, killed at least 12 people,” the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
The civilians — including two women and their children — belonged to the same family, it added.
The deaths bring to “20 the number of civilians killed by the coalition in 24 hours east of the Euphrates River”, said the Observatory, which relies on a network of sources across Syria for its reports.
On Thursday, eight other civilians were killed in coalition strikes in Deir Al Zor province, south of Hasakeh.
The coalition said Friday its air strikes in Syria and Iraq had “unintentionally” killed 892 civilians since its bombing campaign began nearly four years ago.
Meanwhile, Syria’s foreign minister said yesterday that US forces must withdraw from the Tanf base in the south, and that Damascus had not engaged in talks over the country’s southern region.
Walid Al Mua’llem also told a news conference that the regime had communicated with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) but no negotiation process had started.
He said Raqqa city, which SDF militias control, “must be rebuilt and liberated” from any foreign presence.
Iran presence ‘legitimate’
Al Mua’llem also said Iran’s presence is legitimate and based on an invitation of the regime. The Israeli regime has repeatedly warned against any permanent Iranian military presence in Syria. Al Mua’llem said Israel is making false claims to try and pressure Iran, its arch-rival.
In May, Israel carried out a wave of air strikes in response to what it said was an Iranian rocket attack on its positions in the occupied Golan Heights. It was the most serious confrontation between Israel and Iran to date.
Scores of Iranian soldiers have been killed in battles with insurgents in Syria, including a number of officers.
A senior Iranian security official was quoted as saying yesterday that Tehran supports a Russian-led effort to impose Syrian regime control over the south of Syria, amid reports that Damascus is preparing a major military offensive in the area.