True motivations behind Milley's visit to Syria
The US administration wants to restore its influence in the Middle East, especially after the historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Washington also wants to counter the growing
Russian influence in the region.
This is confirmed by the visit Gen. Mark Milley,
the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US army, paid in early March
to US military bases in north-eastern Syria.
This was the first visit by Milley to the base since
he took office in 2019.
The visit came under the pretext of protecting
American soldiers and keeping them away from areas targeted by attacks from
ISIS which has stepped up these attacks in eastern Syria since the beginning of
this year.
The elements of the organization carried out 14
attacks in the areas of influence of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF),
supported by the US administration, resulting in the death of 12 people and the
injury of four US troops in February 2023.
This alarmed Washington which considered it a
clear threat to its interests.
Blatant interference
The visit of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff of the US army to the US military bases in north-eastern Syria came amid
great anger from Syrian authorities which considered it a blatant interference
in the sovereignty of Damascus.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the visit
as an 'illegal' one.
It stressed in a statement that Syria confirms
that the visit is a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and inviolability of
its territory and unity.
The Foreign Ministry called on the US
administration to immediately stop its systematic and continuous violations of
international law and stop its support for separatist armed militias.
The visit coincided with Israeli attacks and
raids on Iranian targets inside Syria.
At the end of January 2023, weapons trucks were
targeted in the countryside of the city of al-Bukamal in Deir ez-Zor province,
on the Iraqi-Syrian border, which led to the death and destruction of those
inside.
A weapons laboratory belonging to pro-Iranian
factions in Deir ez-Zor was also bombed, resulting in the death of seven
people.
American insistence
According to Lebanese political analyst Faisal
Abdul Satter, Milley's visit reflects the US administration's insistence not to
withdraw its forces from Syria, especially in the light of growing opposition
inside the US against this presence.
"The US always seeks to inflame conflicts in
order to ensure the continuation of its influence, as it often gives ISIS the
kiss of life," Abdul Satter told The Reference.
ISIS, he added, carries out its role in
accordance with the American plan in full.
"The US wants to ensure its continued
presence in Syria so that it can keep stealing Syrian wealth and resources,
including oil, gas and agricultural crops," Abdul Satter said.