Russia issues Syria cease-fire warning
Print Edition
RUSSIA warned the United States yesterday that it will start responding unilaterally to cease-fire violations in Syria if the US refuses to coordinate rules of engagement against violators. A US official contended the issues were being discussed “in a constructive manner.”
The Russian military has accused the US of dragging its feet on responding to Moscow’s proposals on rules for joint monitoring of the Syria cease-fire and response to violations. It said that further delays are leading to civilian casualties.
Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoi of the Russian General Staff said yesterday that if the US fails to respond to its proposals on a joint response, the Russian military will have to start unilaterally using force against those who break the cease-fire, starting today.
Russia’s foreign ministry issued a separate but similar statement.
However, in a statement, a US official in Geneva said: “We have seen the media reports on alleged Russian concerns over cease-fire violations. Whoever is making such statements must be misinformed, because these issues have been discussed at length already, and continue to be discussed, in a constructive manner.”
The official asked to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak on the matter.
The cease-fire that began on February 27, brokered by Russia and the US, has helped significantly reduce hostilities for the first time during the five-year conflict that has killed a quarter-million and turned millions into refugees. The Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front have been excluded from the truce.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last week recalled some Russian warplanes from Syria, but said the action against those groups will continue.
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