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US not in a position to sustain Aleppo’s offensive: Expert

Friday, 30 September 2016 3:36 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 30 September 2016 3:40 PM ]

Syrian government forces take part in an operation to take control of Aleppo's Suleiman al-Halabi neighborhood on September 30, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

The United States is not in a position to sustain the offensive in Syria’s embattled city of Aleppo and it is clearly retreating, says James Petras, a Middle East expert.

“Washington made another mistake as it made in Iraq, in Lebanon of backing these terrorist forces which are totally incapable of securing any substantial and sustainable territory,” Petras told Press TV.

The expert went on to say that the US does not want to suffer “historical defeat” but it is now seeing the consequences of the war which it started in Syria.

Petras further stated the Syrian government is making progress “aided” and “supported” by its allies.

“They have defeated effectively the US efforts to utilize the terrorist invaders as a proxy for their own conquest of Syria,” he added.

Syrian government troops have engaged in fierce clashes with foreign-backed militants in Aleppo, as they continue their push to recapture the terrorist-held districts of the key town.

Army soldiers managed to fully clear the Handarat refugee camp of militants and recaptured nearby Kindi Hospital north of Aleppo on Friday morning.

By retaking Handarat, Syrian troops pushed terrorists further away from the Castello Road, a main artery leading to the occupied parts of the city.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Petras argued the main danger today is the “wild language” that is coming out of US State Department which could trigger a confrontation between Washington and Moscow.

He also said US State Department adopts policies which have nothing to do with “diplomacy” and “peace.”

The expert also noted it seems US presidential election is playing a role in the situation in Syria.

“So I think it is a question of losing face, losing a point in the electoral debate and I think it is very dangerous for Washington to put electoral considerations above the world peace circumstances,” he said.

Syria's foreign-sponsored conflict, which flared in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people, according to an estimate by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

Takfiri militants active in the conflict-ridden Arab country have suffered major setbacks over the past few months as the Syrian army has managed to wrest control over several areas.

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