US comments on HTS’ takeover of Syria’s Afrin
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The US Department of State raised concern on Monday over the ability of terrorist groups to “use Syrian territory to form bases,” hinting to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) recent actions in Afrin, in the northern countryside of Aleppo.
Ned Price, Department spokesperson said in a press briefing in an answer on a question about the presence of the HTS in Afrin, “I am not in a position to offer a more updated assessment … It’s something we monitor very closely.”
“Instability in Syria, the ability of extremist groups, of terrorist groups to use Syrian territory to form a base, to plot, that is of concern to all of us,” the spokesperson added.
The city and its countryside witnessed fighting between the HTS along with Sultan Suleiman Shah (al-Amshat) faction and al-Hamza Division (Turkish-backed Syrian opposition factions) on one hand, and Levant Front along with Third Legion and Ahrar al-Sham faction on the other.
On October 13, the HTS took full control of the city of Afrin, following the withdrawal of Third Legion from the city toward the city of Azaz.
In response to a question whether they [US] have any other tools to get them out of the city, he noted, “This is something that we’ve been focused on with partners in the region.”
“We have a range of tools and we’ll continue to calibrate those tools appropriately,” he added.