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Russia hopes West won’t ‘obstruct anti-terror operation’ in Syria: Lavrov
MOSCOW, Aug 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Russia on Wednesday called on the West not
to stand in the way of an “anti-terror operation” in Syria’s Idlib, as
speculation grows Damascus is planning a Russian-backed offensive on the
rebel-held province.
“I hope our Western partners will not give in to (rebel) provocations and
will not obstruct an anti-terror operation” in Idlib, foreign minister Sergei
Lavrov said at a press conference with his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir
in Moscow.
Lavrov also said that there is “full political understanding” between
Russia and Turkey, who support opposing sides of the Syrian civil war but are
currently in intense negotiations to ensure Idlib does not become a breaking
point in their alliance.
“It is necessary to disassociate the so-called moderate opposition from
terrorists and at the same time prepare an operation against them while
minimising risks for the civilian population,” Lavrov said.
“This abscess needs to be liquidated.”
Lavrov went on to accuse the West of “actively heating up” the idea of a
“so-called planned chemical attack by the (Syrian) government.”
Over the last week, Moscow has accused Syrian rebels of planning to stage a
chemical attack in the northwestern province that would “provoke” Western
strikes on its ally Damascus.
It also accused British secret services of being “actively involved” in
the plot.
Moscow’s accusations came after US President Donald Trump’s national
security adviser John Bolton said Washington will respond “very strongly” if
Syrian regime forces used chemical weapons to retake Idlib.
This week Russian media reported Moscow is reinforcing its military
presence in the Mediterranean near Syria.
In April, the US, France and Britain launched joint missile strikes on
Syrian targets in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in the town
of Douma that left scores of people dead.
Russian stuck by its ally Syria and angrily insisted the Douma attack was
staged by the White Helmets volunteer rescue service.
Russia, a long-time ally of Syria, launched a military intervention in
2015 to support the embattled regime of President Bashar al-Assad, a move
that changed the course of the war.
Damascus still holds the southeastern tip of Idlib, a strategically
important province adjacent to Latakia on the Mediterranean coast that is
home to Assad’s clan.
More than 350,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since
Syria’s war started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government
protests.
BSS/AFP/RY/20:05 hrs