Russian warplanes have increased airstrikes against illegal oil production sites and oil smuggling routes in Syria since May 20, head of the Russian General Staff Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy said Friday.
According to him, Moscow and Washington have agreed on the need to decrease the economic potential of the terrorist groups Daesh and Al-Nusra.
"The discussion on the issue has been held among top experts. Since May 20, we have increased airstrikes against illegal oil production sites and smuggling routes to Turkey," Sergey Rudskoy said.
"Unfortunately, aside from their persistent requests not to hit al-Nusra Front targets due to the fact that units of the so-called 'moderate opposition' could be nearby, our American partners have not taken any decisive steps," he added.
“Despite the agreements reached between the United States and Russia, the issue of drawing out zones controlled by the ‘moderate opposition’ from territory occupied by Nusra Front militants has not been agreed upon, which won’t allow for an effective fight against this terrorist organization. The question arises as to when the American side will take measures on separating formations from the ‘moderate opposition’ from the territory occupied by Nusra Front militants, and they finally tell us the coordinates of these regions,” Rudskoy said during a briefing.
The United States' negative response to Russia's proposal of joint operations against terrorists is leading to the escalation of military conflicts in Syria, Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff Sergei Rudskoy said Friday.
On May 20, Russia offered the United States to keep working with the "moderate opposition" on its joining the ceasefire agreement and separation from the Nusra Front, and also offered to deliver airstrikes against the terrorists together but "the response received from the United States, despite the positive evaluation of our activity, doesn't provide for joint actions against terrorist organizations leading to the escalation of military conflict," Rudskoy said.
Meanwhile, Syria-bound trucks loaded with weapons for Al-Nusra Front terrorists are arriving in Syria, the head of the Russian General Staff said.
Acting in Syria's provinces of Aleppo and Idlib, the Al-Nusra Front terrorist group (banned in Russia) is the main obstacle to the implementation of ceasefire agreements in Syria, Sergay Rudskoy said.
"It is obvious that the al-Nusra Front terrorist group, active in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces, is the main obstacle to the further expansion of the ceasefire and reconciliation in Northern Syria," Rudskoy said.
Moreover, Turkish artillery units continue to shell communities and Kurdish militia positions in Syria, the General Staff chief said.
"Turkish artillery continues shelling Syrian border settlements and Kurdish militia positions," he said.
Terrorists are continuing to shell Damascus and tried to block the road leading from the capital to Aleppo many times, Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff Sergei Rudskoy said.
"Systematic shelling of Damascus from the territory of eastern Ghouta continues. Terrorists tried to capture a power plant in Homs and block the road connecting Aleppo and Damascus many times," Rudskoy said.
Militants continue attacks on the Sheikh Maqsood and Zahraa neighborhoods in northern Aleppo, the chief of the Russian General Staff told reporters.
"Militant groups managed to take over al-Eis, Khan Tuman and Zerba which were previously under control of the government troops. In northern Aleppo, militants continue to attack Sheikh Maqsood and Zahraa neighborhoods, the offensive against Khandrat is continuing," Rudskoy said.
"Sixty armed groups have stated that they have accepted and follow the ceasefire conditions," Sergey Rudskoy, chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, told reporters.
The situation in Syria has improved considerably, shelling has decreased, and civilians are returning, Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian General Staff Sergei Rudskoy said Friday.
"Overall, the situation in Syria has improved considerably. Shelling has decreased, and peaceful life is returning to regions where hostilities stopped entirely. The population is receiving humanitarian aid and the war-ravaged infrastructure is under reconstruction. The number of settlements to sign the reconciliation agreement is growing. To date, their number has reached 120," Rudskoy said.
