Kremlin Says Military Action in Syria’s Idlib is Justified
The Kremlin on Monday rebuffed criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump of Russian and Syrian government military action in Syria’s Idlib province, saying it was justified, according to Reuters.
Trump on Sunday urged a stop for military operation against militants in Idlib, following a Friday Kremlin statement that signaled Moscow would continue to back a month long Syrian government operation there.
When asked about Trump’s criticism on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that militants were using Idlib as a base to launch attacks against civilian and military targets, which is unacceptable.
Russia Says It’s Turkey’s Duty to Stop Fighting in Syria’s Idlib
The Kremlin said on Friday it was Turkey’s responsibility to stop militants in Syria’s Idlib province from firing on civilian and Russian targets, signaling it would continue to back a Syrian army operation there despite Ankara’s protests.
“We really do need a ceasefire in Idlib and what needs to be achieved is for the terrorists to stop firing on civilian targets and on certain facilities where our troops are located,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about Erdogan’s request for a ceasefire.
“This is the responsibility of the Turkish side.”
H.M