Syria says joint US-Turkish patrols violate country’s sovereignty

Syria condemned on Sunday joint US-Turkish patrols in a border strip in the northeast of the country, saying it was a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty, an official statement said.

Armed Turkish military vehicles crossed into Syria on Sunday and headed southwest with their US counterparts to begin planned joint patrols to establish a “safe zone” along a border region mainly controlled by Kurdish forces.

The move was also a violation of the “territorial integrity” of Syria, said the Syrian foreign ministry statement, referring to what the government considers attempts by the US-backed Kurdish YPG militia to divide the country.