The official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova
© Yuri Smityuk/TASS
VLADIVOSTOK, June 8. /TASS/. Russia calls on the international coalition led by the USA, which leads the fight against the terrorist group “Islamic state” (IG banned in Russia), a more responsible attitude to the air strikes on extremists in Syria to avoid casualties among the civilian population. This was stated by the official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
“Again call on the leadership of the anti-ISIS coalition to take more responsibility for planning the air strikes that are planned by the members of the Alliance to the terrorists in Syria, she said. – We have repeatedly stressed that such an ill-conceived actions have deepened the suffering of the civilian Syrians”.
The diplomat recalled that the RAID of the air force the U.S.-led coalition June 3 in Raqqa killed 43 civilians, June 5, coalition air force struck the air strikes on a group of refugees, which killed more than 30 people. “During this month the actions of the aviation of the coalition in the city of raqqa and the surrounding area have killed more than 200 Syrians”, – informed the official representative the Ministry of foreign Affairs.
She also stated that “for anti-terror Alliance unacceptable this kind of irresponsible military tactics.” “This situation all is more trouble than understanding the effectiveness of such steps,” – said Zakharov.
On 6 June, the headquarters of the operation Inherent Resolve (“resoluteness”), which is held in Iraq and Syria group of countries led by the US, said that the coalition air force attacked squads of Pro-government forces in Syria. Attack staff explained that troops have penetrated some “deconflicting area” and posed a threat to coalition military base in Al-Tanfi where the camp training of the armed opposition.
The creation of zones of de-escalation
However, she stressed that Moscow is open for contacts with all interested parties on areas of de-escalation and consolidation of the cessation of hostilities in Syria.
“As part of our diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation in Syria, Russia holds active contacts with partners was signed in Astana on may 4 of the Memorandum on creation of zones of de-escalation, she said. – The bulk of the work on the implementation of the Memorandum falls on the shoulders of the guarantor countries – Russia, Iran and Turkey.”
“At the same time, Moscow is open to a Frank exchange of views with all the players, which could make a constructive contribution to the strengthening of the cessation of hostilities, reducing the level of violence in Syria, to alleviate the suffering of Syrians, creating the conditions for advancing political process”, – said Zakharov.
The delegations of Russia, Iran and Turkey during the talks in Astana on 4 may agreed to create four zones of de-escalation in Syria. In these zones consists of Idlib province and parts of neighboring provinces of Aleppo, Latakia and Hama, the area North of HOMS and Eastern ghouta and the southern province of Deraa and Quneitra. The agreement provides that from may 6 in these zones, a ban on military activity, including aviation. The instrument is designed for six months and may automatically be renewed for the same period.
The practice of local cease-fires
According to Zakharova, the Syrian authorities intend to extend the practice of local cease-fires in the southern neighborhoods of Damascus.
“The Syrian leadership intends to continue to pursue a policy of local cease-fires, she said. On the line of the southern neighborhoods of Damascus.”
The diplomat stressed that the humanitarian situation in these areas pacification getting better. “We welcome this trend, she said. – The authorities to restore their water supply, social infrastructure, the population returned to their house
She also said that Russia welcomed the improvement in military-political situation in Syria, which allows government troops to focus on fighting terrorists.
“Russia notes with satisfaction the improvement of the military-political situation in Syria, she said. – Implementation of the Memorandum on the establishment of a de-escalation and strengthening of the cessation of hostilities has enabled the government troops to focus on fighting the Islamic state and “Dzhebhat EN-Nusra” (banned of the Russian Federation) and affiliated groups with them”.
The talks in Astana
According to Zakharova, the date of the next round of inter-Syrian talks in Astana are being worked out.
“The date of the next round of negotiations in Astana are now being considered. As soon as the specific dates will be agreed and the timing, format, participants, we will be able to confirm them”, she said.