US Forces Target Senior Al Qaeda Leader in Syria, STG Engineering Denies Port Contract Cancellation
US Central Command conducted a precision airstrike in Syria, killing Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, a senior leader of Al Qaeda affiliate Hurras Al Din. Simultaneously, STG Engineering confirmed it continues to operate Tartous port despite claims of contract cancellation. The CEO of STG reiterated the procedural requirements for any contract termination, maintaining the legitimacy of their operational status.
On Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported a precision airstrike in Syria that successfully eliminated a senior leader of an Al Qaeda affiliate. Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, identified as the military head of Hurras Al Din (HaD), was the target of this operation. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla stated that the US will continue its efforts to combat terrorism and protect its homeland and regional personnel.
In a separate development, STG Engineering, a Russian firm operating Syria’s Tartous commercial port, addressed recent media claims about the cancellation of its contract. The company stated its operations are continuing as normal and no official notice of contract annulment has been provided, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.
Speculation about the port’s investment contract arose when three Syrian businessmen claimed that Syria’s new leadership had revoked the agreement established under the Assad regime. However, STG Engineering’s CEO, Dmitry Trifonov, clarified that any termination of the contract must follow a bureaucratic process involving parliamentary and presidential procedures, which had not occurred.
Trifonov emphasized the legitimacy of their contract, stating, “It is impossible to terminate the agreement unilaterally, because it has been ratified by both the president and the parliament, and no one has notified us.” Meanwhile, the firm JSC Stroytransgaz highlighted their lack of affiliation with STG Engineering regarding the port management contract, clarifying that they had no role in the recent discussions about it.
The US military’s action against a senior Al Qaeda leader reinforces its commitment to combating terrorism. Concurrently, STG Engineering’s operations in Tartous remain unaffected, countering claims about contract termination. The clarity around port management and contractual obligations is crucial amidst the shifting political landscape in Syria. This situation highlights the complexities of international business and military operations in conflict zones.
Original Source: www.gulftoday.ae
