News / Syria / Russia

Terror sponsors responsible for East Ghouta situation: Russia

Thursday, 22 February 2018 3:05 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 22 February 2018 3:05 PM ]

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (Photo by AFP)

The Kremlin has blamed the current situation in the Eastern Ghouta region on the countries that are supporting terrorists in Syria, vehemently rejecting claims linking Russia and its allies to the violence.

"The situation in Eastern Ghouta is the responsibility of those who support the terrorists that are still there," Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

"As you know, neither Russia, nor Syria nor Iran belong to the category of such states because they are the ones waging an uncompromising struggle against the terrorists in Syria," he said.

Eastern Ghouta near Damascus has witnessed renewed violence in the past few days, where terrorists have mounted repeated mortar attack on the Syrian capital in the face of an imminent rout.

Speaking on Tuesday, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert held Russia accountable for the "attacks" and "the dire humanitarian situation" in the region, calling on Moscow to end its support for the Damascus government.

Moscow denied the US claim as "groundless" and stressed that armed groups operating in the militant-held Eastern Ghouta are preventing civilians from leaving the conflict zone.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also accused al-Nusra Front terrorists of using civilians in Eastern Ghouta as “human shields” while keeping up attacks on Damascus.

In a letter of complaint to the UN, the Syrian Foreign Ministry drew attention to a sharp rise in deadly terror attacks in Damascus and its suburbs, urging the world body to take proper measures against the countries that support and fund the armed groups.

PressTV-Terrorists killing civilians with West’s backing: Syria to UN

Syria urges the UN to take action against the countries that support the terrorists in their crimes against civilians in Damascus and its suburbs.

Earlier on Thursday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura expressed hope that the Security Council would agree on a resolution to end violence in Eastern Ghouta.

De Mistura, however, emphasized that the attempt to agree on a ceasefire deal is an "uphill" battle.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk