Russian narrative against US-backed forces in Syria intensifies

American officials and a Syrian rights body has denied claims made by the Russian government as it ramped up its narrative this week against the US-backed forces in northeastern Syria, with the aim to undermine their presence after the US decided to extend their stay in the war-torn country.

“Now, we see what is happening on the left bank of the Euphrates. Probably, our colleagues know: this territory is under the patronage of our American partners. They rely on the Kurdish armed forces,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, during the Valdai conference in Sochi.

“But they have obviously left a loose end: [the Islamic State (IS)] remains in several locations and has begun to expand its area of influence recently. They took 130 families hostage – almost 700 people,” he asserted, adding that the jihadists were threatening to kill ten people every day and claiming they had “US and EU citizens” captives.

Read the full article and more in Kurdistan 24.