The Kurds of the north-east of Syria could not release the militants of the terrorist organization "Islamic State" (ISIS, banned in Russia) without a hint from the United States, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova announced at a briefing on Thursday.
The diplomat noted that last week the release of 600 ISG terrorists by the decision of the self-proclaimed administration of the north-east of Syria raises many questions for Moscow. "Obviously, the Kurds couldn't have done it without a clue from the Americans," she said. - The dangerous consequences of such a difficult to explain step are obvious, we didn't have to wait long for them.
According to Zakharova, there are already reports of Islamist radicals stepping up, seeping into areas controlled by Syria's legitimate authorities and engaging in local clashes with the Syrian military. "We emphasize Russia's unchanging, principled position. It consists in support of Syria's unity, respect for its territorial integrity and sovereignty," the diplomat pointed out. - "We consistently call on Damascus and the self-proclaimed authorities of the north-east to engage in a constructive dialogue in order to find mutually acceptable solutions in the interests of the local population and the entire country".
Kurdish formations in the north-east of Syria have been supported by the USA in recent years, to which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeatedly drew attention. Even after most of the US troops withdrew from Syria, they continued to control some of the oil fields in that country. In September, US Senator Lindsey Graham reported that a US company had directly signed an agreement with the Kurds.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Alexander Shcherbak / TASS
Based on materials from TASS