Syria 'opposition' says will boycott UN-backed peace negotiations
Syria’s main foreign-backed opposition group says it plans to boycott peace negotiations proposed by the United Nations in protest against Russian airstrikes in the Arab country.
The so-called Syrian National Coalition (SNC) made the announcement in a statement on Sunday, saying it did not favor the talks proposed by UN peace envoy Staffan de Mistura.
The opposition group said it had “decided not to participate in the consultative working groups and considers adherence to the Geneva communique and UN Security Council resolutions and an end to Russian” airstrikes targeting Daesh militants in Syria as a basis for the resumption of peace talks.
The opposition was pointing to a document agreed by some states in 2012, which outlined a roadmap to resolve the crisis in Syria, including the formation of a transitional governing body and the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power.
Back in July, the UN envoy proposed the formation of working groups for both opposition and government representatives to address their concerns.
Since September 30, Russia has been carrying out its airstrikes in coordination with the Syrian government and has repeatedly voiced its support for a solution which includes Assad.
A report released by the Wall Street Journal last week said Russian airstrikes were also targeting militants backed by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Syria.
Russian air force jet fighters have reportedly demolished numerous vehicles, command posts, communication centers, fuel and ammunition depots, plants used for making bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as several training camps, all used by Daesh.
Hundreds of Daesh militants, including a number of commanders, have reportedly been killed in the Russian airstrikes.
Syria has been fighting a foreign-sponsored militancy since March 2011. So far, more than 250,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict.
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