The Syrian government says French and German forces are present in northern Syria, condemning it as an act of "aggression."
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday French and German forces are deployed to Ain al-Arab, also known as Kobani, and Manbij alongside US military personnel.
“Syria ... considers it explicit and unjustified aggression towards its sovereignty and independence,” the official SANA news agency quoted the ministry as saying.
Foreign forces are aiding Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) near Manbij and Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, part of the SDF, in Ain al-Arab, characterizing the aid as part of an offensive against Daesh.
The ministry said any side "wishing to fight against terrorists must coordinate its moves with the legitimate Syrian government, whose army and people are fighting terrorism" across the country.
"Such presence under the pretext of fighting terrorism cannot elude any one," it added.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said French special forces were building a base for themselves near Ain al-Arab.
France's defense minister said last week that there were also special forces operating in Syria helping the SDF advance towards Manbij.
Berlin, however, was quick to deny the presence of German special forces in Syria.
“There are no German special forces in Syria. The accusation is false,” a spokesman at the Germany’s Defense Ministry said.
The Observatory, however, said German, French and American military advisers, and French and American special forces, were assisting the SDF.
Editor's note: This article has been edited from its original form.
