Zakharova: Jabhat al-Nusra Terrorists Continue to Attack Civilians, Army Personnel in Hama and Idleb

MOSCOW, (ST)- The terrorists of Jabhat al-Nusra continue their provocations and attacks against civilians and Syrian army personnel in the Syrian provinces of Hama and Idleb, Spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said in a briefing on Thursday.

Sputnik quoted Zakharova as saying that these attacks are being launched from the de-escalation area in Idleb and they have victimized many civilians and soldiers.

Different terrorist groups, most of them are affiliated to Jabhat al-Nusra, including “Jaish al-Ezza” and “Turkistan Islamic party”, have positions in Hama and Idleb and they repeatedly launch attacks on safe areas and military positions in Hama northern countryside.

She added that this political settlement should be based on the work plan of the UN Chief’s Special Envoy for Libya and on the need to abandon dispute on power and to join the efforts of all the Libyan political and military forces to restore national unity and rebuild the state’s institutions.

On Sudan, she said Moscow hopes that all the Sudanese political forces and the judiciary to behave in a high sense of responsibility in order to realize stability in Sudan as soon as possible.

She called for settling internal issues by peaceful and democratic means through wide-range national dialogue.

 Regarding the US President Donald Trump’s decision to blacklist Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Crops (IRGC), Zakharova said that this move is part of Washington’s policy of practicing utmost pressure on Iran.

The American approach regarding confrontation with Iran “is destructive and shortsighted,” she added.

Zakharova reiterated Iran’s key role in deepening stability in the region, pointing out that without Iran’s participation the possibility of establishing a strong regional security structure in the Middle East will be impossible.

Hamda Mustafa