Kemal Okuyan reacts to US decision on HTS and Syria: 'The list is bogus, the aggression is real'

The US decision to remove Syria from its list of "state sponsors of terrorism" and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its status as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization" has sparked debate in politics. Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) General Secretary Kemal Okuyan reacted to the decision with harsh words.

Reminding that the US has removed Syria from the list, Okuyan argued that Washington is also trying to whitewash the history of HTS, which it has supported covertly for years, with this decision.

In his statement, Okuyan said, "Thus, they think they are getting rid of the bloody record of the organization called HTS, which they supported covertly and brought to power for years."

Assessments suggest that the US decision is a continuation of the diplomatic contacts and negotiations that followed the rise to power of the jihadist bloc led by HTS in Syria. Washington had placed Syria on the "state sponsors of terrorism" list in 1979.

EMPHASIS ON CUBA

Okuyan also reacted to the US continuing to keep Cuba on the list in question. Stating that Cuba is one of the few remaining countries on the list, Okuyan said, "Cuba is supporting terrorism... Get out of here!"

The TKP General Secretary claimed that today, the US is at the forefront of countries supporting terrorism in the world. He said that the US uses this list as a pretext for sanctions, blockades, attempts at occupation, and war policies.

In fact, if we were to try to make a list of the open and covert relations of the US that could be considered within the scope of "terrorism," we would never be able to reach a complete inventory. The US administration uses this nonsensical list to impose sanctions and blockades, attempts occupations, and starts wars. The list is bogus, but the aggression undertaken under the pretext of the list is all too real.

In the continuation of his statement, Okuyan described imperialism as a "hierarchy of bullies fattened by the power of money" and stated that history keeps a record of these policies.

News Source: 12punto