MOSCOW – Terrorist groups in Syria were provided US-made man-portable surface-to-air missiles, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova revealed, adding that the West’s involvement in Syria look like an attempt to render assistance to terrorists.
During a news briefing she that the Russian Foreign Ministry is aware of “militants [in Syria] receiving US-manufactured man-portable air-defense systems,” adding that “Jihadists operating in the Aleppo region continue to be supplied with arms and ammunition.”
According to RT, she accused US of having plans to supply the ‘moderates’ with heavy weapons and expressed hope that the US would eventually scrap the plans. “We hope that… realistic and rational consideration will prevail over reckless schemes that could lead to unpredictable consequences,” she said, adding at the same time that this information had not been yet confirmed and the ministry did not know the final decision of the US administration.
The West’s policy towards Syria cannot be described just as one of “double standards” anymore, Zakharova told journalists during the briefing, saying that “there is an attempt to directly assist the militants and terrorists.”
She also said that western nations apparently pursue this political course to facilitate regime change in Syria, in clear disregard of “tremendous civilian casualties.”
“We fear that the US-led coalition significantly underestimates the harm it inflicts upon the civilian population [in Syria],” she said, referring particularly to a report by Amnesty International published on Wednesday, which said that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) “may have… carried out unlawful attacks” that claimed the lives of at least 300 civilians.
“Analysis of reliable data shows that the coalition did not take adequate precautionary measures to minimize civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure,” Zakharova said, commenting on the issue.
Zakharova said that Russia would present an official document to the UN Security Council (UNSC) with the records of Russia fulfilling its commitments under its agreement with the US on Syria as well as with records of the US breaching its obligations.
“Russia has taken a decision to present an official document to the UNSC as well as to the UN headquarters in New York and Geneva, which will contain all facts of Russia fulfilling its commitments under the US-Russian agreements as well as of the US violating its obligations,” she told journalists, adding that it will be done to “stop all insinuations” concerning Russia’s alleged violations of these accords.
