NATO calls on Russia to stop attacks on Syrian opposition and civilians

NATO yesterday has called on Russia to immediately stop its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians and “to focus its efforts on fighting the Islamic State terrorist group”.

“The allies call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians, to focus its efforts on fighting ISIL, and to promote a solution to the conflict through a political transition”, a press release by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, using another acronym for Daesh.

“The allies expressed their deep concern with regard to the Russian military build-up in Syria and especially the attacks by the Russian Air Force on Hama, Homs and Idlib which led to civilian casualties and did not target Daesh,” the statement added.

“Russian military actions have reached a more dangerous level with the recent violations of Turkish airspace on 3 October and 4 October by Russian Air Force SU-30 and SU-24 aircraft in the Hatay region.”

The alliance also called on Russia “to provide explanations about these violations,” which it described as “irresponsible” and which, according to the statement, constitute “a major threat to the NATO member states”.

“The allies call on the Russian side to take all necessary measures to ensure that such violations do not take place in the future.”

“The security of the Alliance is indivisible, and Allies stand in strong solidarity with Turkey. We will continue to follow the developments on the South-Eastern borders of NATO very closely.”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced in a statement yesterday that a Russian airplane violated its airspace on Sunday on the border with Syria.

The statement pointed out that the Russian plane left Turkish airspace after two Turkish F-16 fighters patrolling the Syrian-Turkish border intercepted it.

Turkey immediately summoned Russia’s ambassador to Ankara to protest the violation.