The US envoy to Syria, James Jeffrey, has rejected ‘Russian claims’ that ‘terrorists’ were using civilians as a human shield. Jeffrey said Monday that the reaction of Syrians to Russian military patrols in Idlib is not surprising.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the joint patrol was short cut due to provocations orchestrated by what it called “terrorist groups,” which used civilians as “human shields.”
It added that it gave Turkey additional time to neutralize the terrorists and ensure the security of troops taking part in joint patrols along the Aleppo-Latakia highway.
The first joint patrol launched from the town of al-Tarnaba and was scheduled to arrive in the town of Ein al-Hour.
For nearly a year the Assad regime - with Russian and Iranian support - has conducted a reckless and ruthless military offensive in Idlib that has killed and wounded thousands of civilians and caused the displacement of nearly one million Syrians, Jeffrey said.
Yesterday's demonstrators voiced their understandable objection to Russia's active involvement in the military assault on Idlib, he added, warning that the military solution the Assad regime hopes for, with support from Russia and Iranian regime, is not achievable and will not bring peace to Syria.
The US is committed to working with the partners and allies in the international community to support the UN-led process to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria. The Syrian people deserve to live in peace, free from airstrikes, chemical weapons attacks, barrel bombs, detention, torture, and starvation, Jeffrey concluded.
