Russian Defense Ministry denied Thursday its involvement in Wednesday’s bombings in Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, that caused the destruction of two hospitals, blaming US aircraft for the attack instead.
Advertisement
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a cessation of hostilities can only succeed if Russian Federation stops air strikes supporting Syrian government forces’ advance against the opposition.
Oncupinar (Turkey): Some 100,000 Syrian refugees are being looked after in camps inside Syria close to the Turkish border, including 35,000 who this month fled a Russian-backed regime offensive in northern Aleppo province, a top Turkish official said on Friday.
RAF Typhoon and Tornado aircraft alongside Reaper drones have carried out 585 successful air strikes flown in more than 2,000 combat missions against IS, also known as Daesh.
The Syrian army is closing in on the last pockets of militant positions in Aleppo which borders Turkey, prompting an outcry among supporters of armed groups which are warning of a refugee influx.
Carter said defense ministers from more than two dozen countries gave a “broad endorsement” of a refined USA plan for defeating the Islamic State. He’s pushing for a ceasefire for humanitarian aid to get through.
But US frustration with Russia’s bombing in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime is growing, as fears mount that the opposition will refuse to join UN-led peace talks while their cities are under fire.
USA officials say Russian Federation has proposed a cease-fire in Syria to begin on March 1 but the United States says the fighting should stop immediately. He told a German newspaper that if world powers “fail to negotiate an end to the conflict in Syria, [a] permanent or a world war” could ensue, Reuters reports.
A Syrian government offensive around the city of Aleppo backed by Russian airstrikes has sent tens of thousands fleeing to the Turkish border. But the West claims the majority of Russia’s strikes are targeting moderate groups that are opposed to Assad and the Islamic State.
Despite the concession on potential timing of the truce and the agreement to set up the task force, the U.S., Russian Federation and others remain far apart on which groups should be eligible for it. The new task force, which will include military officials, will take up a job that was supposed to have been settled months ago.
Meanwhile, answering a reporter’s question on the issue, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that he was not aware of Russia’s suggestion of a specific date to establish a ceasefire.
But on Wednesday, the main Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG, launched an attack along with some Arab allies against the Mannagh military air base and captured it later in the day, according to a rebel commander and an opposition activist group.
Advertisement
She says the Russians “brush off” accusations that their offensive near Aleppo has stalled talks: “They say they’re there fighting terrorists”.
