Briefly

SYRIA

Damascus, Teheran condemn airstrikes

Syria and Iran have condemned the recent airstrikes by the United States on the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour that reportedly killed 19 people. In a statement on Saturday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry also urged other countries to join the condemnation. The statement followed an exchange of fire between the US forces and pro-Syrian government, Iranian-backed militias since Friday. The US attacks were "based on lies", the ministry said, stressing the Syrian army's determination to restore all Syrian areas and end the US occupation of Syrian territories. The US has about 900 troops in posts across northeastern Syria. Separately, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said the US troops' presence was "illegal" and a "violation of international law and the national sovereignty" of Syria.