UNSC Loophole Masks Terrorists as Moderates- Russian envoy

The absence of many terrorist groups on the UN Security Council’s list is being used by some forces as an attempt to present terrorists as an armed moderate Syrian opposition, Russian Ambassador to Syria Alexander Kinshchak said.

Kinshchak added that terrorists need to be categorized by their actions, including the killing of prisoners, shooting civilians, that they are family members of civil servants or military, as well as using discriminatory measures in regard to individuals of other religious beliefs, and shelling residential districts in cities.

The creation of the Jaysh al-Sham group in Syria is an attempt to legitimize well-known terrorist organizations as a moderate opposition with which to work with, Kinshchak said.

Kinshchak added that Russia will not hold any talks with terrorists and similar attempts to legitimize the militants of terrorist groups will “remain on the conscious of those attempting to overthrow the legitimate government of Syria by any means.”

Moscow has turned for help from countries in contact with the moderate Syrian opposition in order to reach agreement in the joint fight against terrorism, Russian Ambassador to Syria said.

Kinshchak also cast doubt that the moderate opposition has any sort of military capabilities with which it would be possible to agree in a joint fight against terrorists.

Moscow welcomes Iran’s efforts in destroying terrorist organizations in Syria and is prepared to cooperate with all states wishing to contribute to the joint fight against terrorism, Alexander Kinshchak said.

Airstrikes by Russia’s Aerospace Forces in just a few days of operations in Syria have delivered a serious blow to the infrastructure of terrorists and have created favorable conditions for the Syrian Arab Army’s offensive, Kinshchak said.

 “It seems to me that there is something that should and needs to be proud about in the attained results. In a short period of time we were able to do what our partners in the US-led international coalition could not do in a year…Thanks to the effective and productive work in just a few days, we were able to deliver a serious blow to the infrastructure of terrorists, and by doing so have created favorable conditions for the development in the offensive of the Syrian Arab Army on the ground,” Kinshchak said in an interview.

Mutual understanding between the Syrian authorities and the opposition after the war will significantly speed up the process of “local peacemaking” and may provide for joint efforts in the fight against terrorism, Russian Ambassador added.

IRNA

R.S