Russia Condemns US Plan to Extend Syria Bombing

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday dismissed as “counter-productive” an announcement by Washington that it could
take extra measures to defend US-allied fighters in Syria, according to AFP.

 

At a news conference in Qatar, Lavrov condemned comments by the White House that it could take “additional steps” to protect allies in Syria and warned Bashar al-Assad’s regime not to impede their actions.

 

“We believe it’s counterproductive to announce publicly that some US-trained armed groups… will be under the protection of the coalition’s air forces,” Lavrov said.

 

“And that to protect these groups this air force would be authorized to strike at any forces which may — may — be considered a hindrance to the work of this group.”

 

Lavrov added that the matter had been raised with US Secretary of State John Kerry when they met earlier Monday in Qatar’s capital Doha.

 

Earlier, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Syria “should not interfere” with operations by US-trained forces, warning that “additional steps” could be taken to defend them, raising the prospect of strikes against the regime.

 

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